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HER BROTHER'S CODE 



HER BROTHER'S CODE 

A Drama of Life 

IN 

FOUR ACTS 

BY 

DANIEL BROR SORLIN 

Authx)r of "Friend Karl," " The Norseman;' etc. 




THE CORNHILL COMPANY 
BOSTON 






Copyright, 1918 

by 

THE CORNHILL COMPANY 

Copyright, 1916, by Daniel Bror Sorlin, as dramatic composition, 

'''Her Brother's Code.''' All rights reserved, including 

that of translation into foreign languages 



OCT -9::., 



1S)CI.A50S262 



CAST OF CHARACTERS 

EsTELLE Berkley, a resolute young woman 

Gordon Berkley, her recreant brother 

Paul Kirke, a young civil engineer 

Myra Kirke, his erring sister 

Abner Kirke, an old Adirondack guide 

Martha, his wife 

Calvin Berkley, a wealthy New York contractor 

Antonia Berkley- Wells, his widowed sister 

Reisenstein, proprietor of a Road House 

Maidy Valet, Waiter, Stenographer, etc. 



SYNOPSIS OF SCENERY 

act I. 
Summer Camp in the Adirondacks at Kirke' s Cove 

ACT II. 

{Three months later) 

Drawing Room of the Berkleys' New York Home 

ACT III. 

{The next evening) 

Private Dining Room of Road House in the Bronx 

ACT IV. 

{The following morning) 

OflBce of the Berkley Construction Co. in Lower Broadway 
Time — The Present 



ACT I 



Her Brothers Code 

ACT I 

Scene — Summer Camp in the Adirondacks 

Setting represents a "clearing" in mountainous region, with 
(back drop) perspective view of mountains in background and 
part of lake showing at Left. At Right of stage facade of a pre- 
tentious summer camp house with veranda and stairs: at Left 
down stage vine-covered arbor of rustic design, projecting off 
stage, entrance of arbor facing house; rustic settee down stage. 
Exit at Right above house; opening at Left beyond arbor to 
supposed pathway to lake. 

Curtain Rises on darkness; Light gradually discloses: 
dim view of sky-line with tops of mountains; as light increases 
lake is seen; then stage proper is revealed, and as "action" 
begins on stage light increases to full dawn. 
Enter Martha and Abner at Left, the latter in "rough 
and ready" backwoods' costume; Martha in homespun but 
neat, half-modern, half-old-style costume. 

Abner {as they enter, with broad, " up-state " dialect, after a 
look toward house): Not a soul of 'em stirrin' yet, an* 
I told 'em last night to be all ready by daylight for the 
row across the lake to catch the down stage at the Cove. 
They'll never reach Noo York today if they don't get an 
everlastin' hustle on themselves, I'll be a-tellin' 'em. 
(Makes move to rouse out inmates of house.) 

Martha (checking him, drawing him to settee) : Don't, Ab. You 
sent word to the driver of the stage to wait at the Cove, 
and that he'd be well paid in case of delay, didn't you? 

Abner (sitting down with her on settee): Ye-es; but Hank 
don't cotton to rich folks a mite, an' it'd be jess like him 
to drive off lickity-split if they ain't at the landin' when 
he gets there. 

Martha: Well, that wouldn't be your fault. 

Abner (dryly): No-o; but I'd get the blame, jess the same. 

3 



4 HER BROTHER'S CODE 

When rich folks slam out orders an' foot the bills, they 
expect re^sults — not excuses. 

Martha: But the Berkleys are different from some of the 
other campers we've had here. They're not a bit stuck- 
up — have treated us more like equals — and I'm sorry 
their vacation is over. 
(Sighs.) 

Abner: So'm I. I like 'em all — but the son; I can't go 
him much — 

Martha: Oh, he's nothing but a foolish boy. 

Abner: Not foolish — jess lazy. If takin' your breath didn't 
come sort o' natur'l, he'd choke to death for want of air. 

Martha (smiling) : But the daughter makes up for — 

Abner (interrupting enthusiastically): Now you're shoutin*! 
She's the finest bit of city-bred girl-flesh that ever landed 
in these diggin's, — an' by the Great Horned Toad! I'd 
like to kidnap her an' keep her here forever. 

Martha (amused): If you weren't so old and sensible, Ab, 
you might make me jealous of her. — 

Abner: Oh, shucks, Martha! I could be her father twice 
over; but I b'lieve I love her jess as much as our daugh- 
ter Myra — an' that's sayin' a lot, for Myra's always been 
my weak point, an' you know it. 

Martha: I ought to — considering the many times you've 
stopped me from correcting her, even when you knew she 
needed it. 

Abner: I can't help doin' that. Little Myra's wound 'round 
my heart-strings kind o' tightlike, an' I can't bear to hear 
you scoldin' her; (thoughtfully) an' if any thin' happened 
to Myra — well, I reckon I'd break out somethin' un- 
usual. 

Martha: But don't you love our son Paul as well as Myra? 

Abner: O' course; but he's a man — a real man — for all 



HER BROTHER'S CODE 5 

his college education, an* he don't need to be coddled like 

Myra — an' you. 

{Gives her an affectionate caress.) 

Martha: Isn't it too bad Paul didn't get back from the 
West in time to meet the Berkleys? 

Abner: Yes; I kinder hoped he'd finish that civil-engineer- 
ing job an' get home afore they left. It might 'a' changed 
his idees o' city folks. He never had much use for 'em — 
for all his bein' to college; (reflectively) but p'raps it's 
jess as well he didn't get here. 

Martha: Why.? 

Abner: 'Cause he might 'a' tumbled in love with Estelle, 
an' that would 'a' been hell — for him. She's too rich a 
plum for a poor man's son to pick. 

Martha: We're not poor, Ab. Don't we own this camp, 
and isn't it bringing us a good rental every year? And 
haven't we our own little home down by the lake? And 
doesn't Paul earn a good salary as civil engineer? 

Abner {smiling benignly): We're as rich as any of the old 
settlers in these parts, Martha; but when it comes to 
countin' wealth in millions as Berkley does — well, we're 
mighty small potatoes in the world-patch. 

Martha: Then I prefer to be a small potato. Making mil- 
lions almost brought Mr. Berkley to death's door, and he 
had to take his doctor's advice and come here to regain 
his health. 

Abner: An' I'd like to shake that doctor's hand, for it made 
me 'quainted with a thoroughbred — a man who went 
after his health like he's been after the dollars, an' never 
put on any high an' mighty airs while doin' it, as some 
o' the other campers used to do. 

Martha {mischievously): And he also brought a daughter 
for you to fall in love with — 



6 HER BROTHER'S CODE 

Abner: Sure; an' she's another thoroughbred. In spite of 
her father's milHons, she's treated our daughter like a 
sister; an' she always rings true — like pure gold. I wish 
I could say the same for the son, but I can't; an' I sha'n't 
be sorry to see the last o' him. 

Martha: Why? 

Abner: Well, I've seen him talkin' to Myra a few times, an' 
I don't b'lieve any thin' he has to say is worth list'nin' to; 
but I notices she did, jess the same. 

Martha (smiling): Are you afraid they've fallen in love 
with each other? 

Abner: No; he's too lazy to fall in love with anythin' but 
an easy chair. (Thoughtfully) But fool notions might 
come into Myra's head — if he stayed here long 'nuff . 

Martha: Oh, nonsense, Abner. Why, I've never seen the 
least thing out of the way between them. 

Abner : Mothers 're nearly always blind — until the eye- 
opener comes; an' then it's gen'ra'ly too late to do their 
their eyesight any good — the same as when I s;neaked 
you over to the parson an' had the knot tied afore your 
mother ever dreamed o' me as a son-in-law. 

Martha: But Myra's too sensible a girl for any foolish love 
affair. 

Abner: I'm hopin' so; but love an' sense never was known 
to follow the same trail — or you'd 'a' married that college 
professor 'stead o' takin' a poor mountain guide like me. 

Martha: Well, I've never regretted my choice of mate. 

Abner : But your mother did — to her dyin' day. 
(Noise heard in house; both look toward house.) 
(Enter Berkley from house in travelling costume.) 

Berkley (genially) : Hello ! — already here ! — and I thought 
I'd surprise you by being out before you arrived. But I 
guess it's pretty hard to catch an old warhorse like you 



HER BROTHER'S CODE 7 

asleep at the switch — eh, Kirke? Did he keep you up 
all night, Mrs. Kirke, to be sure he'd be here on time? 

Maetha: No; he's the finest alarm clock in the world when 
it comes to early rising, Mr. Berkley. 

Abner : I can't seem to lose the habit I got in my younger 
days o' bein' up with the sun, but now I often wish he 
wouldn't be in such a hurry to rout me out o' bed. {The 
Others smile.) Rest o' the folks all ready .^ 

Berkley: All but Gordon, I believe, but I heard my sister 
berating him as I came out — 

{Enter Antonia, in travelling costume y from house, showing 
disgust, but greets Martha and Abner genially with ad lib. 
words, then turns to Berkley with a frown.) 

Antonia: Calvin, when we get back to New York I want 
you to hunt up a good specialist for Gordon. His laziness 
has become a chronic disease, and there must be a cure 
for it. 
{Martha and Abner exchange amused looks.) 

Berkley: The only cure he needs is an application of birch 
switches, and if he were a little younger I'd administer 
the dose myself — as I should have done years ago. 
Where's Estelle? 

Antonia: I'm not supposed to tell you, but yesterday Es- 
telle and Myra planned to climb Bald Cliff before day- 
light this morning for a last look at the rising sun, as a 
sort of farewell at the end of our vacation. 

Martha: I also knew of this plan, but Myra begged me not 
to tell you, Abner. 

Abner: Good thing you didn't, or I'd 'a' stopped 'em. Talk 
about your boys — why, those two girls 've got any of 
'em lashed to a tree. Climbin' Bald Cliff' is hard 'nuff in 
daylight — let alone doin' it afore dawn jess to see the sun 
come up. I'll agree it's one o' the finest sights in the 



8 HER BROTHER'S CODE 

state, but it's more'n I'd want to tackle now, in the dark, 
with all my experience on mountain paths. 
(Antonia and Berkley show uneasiness.) 

Berkley: Do you — think — there's any danger? 

Abner : Not a great deal — if your daughter sticks to Myra. 
She can see in the dark like a lynx, an' knows all the 
trails 'round here like a fox, so don't go to worryin'. I've 
trained Myra since she was a baby, an' there ain't much 
about woodcraft she doesn't know. The only thing both- 
erin' me is whether they'll get back in time for you folks 
to catch the stage. 

Berkley: I hope they do, for I've simply got to be in my 
New York office tomorrow morning — {looking around re- 
gretfully) — much as I hate to leave this section — now. 

Antonl^: But remember how badly you hated to take the 
doctor's advice and come here in the first place. 

Berkley: I admit it. I didn't see how I could leave my 
business — 

Antonia: You business men never do until it's too late, as 
a rule. You would have been dead by this time if you 
hadnt left New York, and then what good would your 
business have done you? 

Abner (chuckingly) : 1 reckon it's kinder hard to do busi- 
ness after you're dead, but I guess you're in trim to go 
chasin' the dollars better 'n ever now. You outrowed me 
on the lake yesterday, an' when you first came here I 
didn't think you could lift a toothpick. 

Berkley {slapping Abner' s shoulder heartily) : I've got you 
to thank for my returned health, Kirke. 

Abner: Nothin' o' the kind. If you want to do any thankin', 
get down on your knees to good old Mother Nature; for 
if you give her half a show she'll pull you through — even 
if you've got a foot an' three-quarters in the grave. 



HER BROTHER'S CODE 9 

Berkley: Guess you're right, and I'll give her another 
whack at me next year; and say, you'll either have to sell 
this place to me, or give me a long-term lease — {smil- 
ingly) — or I'll buy up all the land around here and crowd 
you out. 

Abner {amused) : You'd find me pretty tough " crowdin'." 
(Pointing off L.) You see that old oak over yonder? 
Well, that's been there more'n a hundred years, an' I'd 
like to see anythin' short of an earthquake pull it out by 
the roots; an' I'm like a twin brother to that oak — when 
it comes to stickin' to my belongin's — though I ain't 
quite as old. 

Berkley: But why in thunder won't you sell the place to 
me — at your own price? 

Abner: 'Cause I don't care 'nuff for money, I guess; an* 
I've always planned to give the camp to the first one o' 
my children that got married; but that's a long time oflP, 
I'm figgerin'; so you're welcome to rent it till then. 

Berkley: Thanks, Kirke. I won't press the matter of sale 
— if that's the way you feel about it. ( To Antonio) 
Please go in and see if Gordon is up yet. I'd do it myself, 
but I'm afraid I'd break loose if I found him still in bed. 

Antonl^: You leave him to me. He'll receive a shower-bath 
of ice-cold spring water if he isn't up now. Come in, 
Mrs. Kirke, and have a cup of warm coflFee. 

Martha: Thank you; I'll certainly appreciate it, for my 
husband hurried me so this morning that I didn't have 
time to finish mine at the cabin. 

Abner (as they go to house) : Don't give her more'n one cup, 
Mrs. Wells, as it's bad for her nerves. I've been preachin' 
the water-cure to her for thirty years, but she still likes 
to hug the coffee-pot. 



10 HER BROTHER'S CODE 

Martha: Oh, bother with your preaching about water! 

You can drink the lake dry if you want to, but I'll stick 

to my coffee and tea — and what are you going to do 

about it, Mister Kirke? 
Abner: No thin', — but keep on preachin' an' hopin' for 

the best, — though I reckon you're a hopeless case, Mrs. 

Kirke. 

{Exit Women into house, laughing; Men exchange amused 

looks.) 
Berkley: Do you often clash on the coffee question, Kirke .?* 
Abner {producing pipe from pocket) : Ev'ry day — reg'lar as 

the clock — for I'm death on coffee. {Lights pipe.) 
Berkley {watching him with a mischievous smile) : Does she 

ever object to your smoking? 
Abner {puffing) : Never; — an' it wouldn't do her a mite o' 

good if she did. 
Berkley: But according to medical authority, neither 

coffee nor tobacco is beneficial to us — in fact, both are 

more or less harmful, we're told; and she might get back 

at you if she wanted to. 
Abner {abruptly , with a look toward house): Say, don't put 

her wise to that — or I'll never be able to open my head 

about coffee. 
Berkley (laughing): There you are. We all have our pet 

little ** vices," but always decry those we see in others — 

if they don't happen to be like our own. Now, I have 

mine. I like champagne — not too much of it — just 

enough to make the blood tingle a bit; and my sister is 

dead against it, but likes her coffee and tea. Have I the 

right to oppose her habit without dropping mine? 
Abner {thoughtfully): That's a clincher of an argiment. 

Reckon I'll have to ease up on the coffee question, for I 



HER BROTHER'S CODE 11 

could never give up my pipe. Gee, we're never too old 
to learn, are we? 

Berkley: Hardly — unless we're hide-bound by prejudice. 
{With sudden sober mood) Say, Kirke, I've been thinking 
of asking you to do me a favor. — 

Abner: That'd be a great pleasure, Mr. Berkley. Jess tell 
me what it is. 

Berkley: I need Estelle in New York, as she knows a great 
deal about my business, and is of considerable assistance 
to me at times, but Gordon is absolutely of no use to me. 
I'm ashamed to have to say this about my own son, but it is 
the truth, and I know you'll treat the matter confiden- 
tially. 

Abner: I sure will. 

Berkley: Thank you. I took Gordon up here with us 
rather against his will, but I did it to break him away 
from his loose club life and looser associates. If I find 
him drifting back into his former mode of living when we 
return to New York, I want to send him up here again 
under your care for a few additional months — {as 
Abner is about to offer an objection) — Oh, he'd have to do 
it, or I'd cut off his allowance entirely. The question is: 
would you be willing to take charge of him? 

Abner {soberly) : I'm sorry you asked me that, Mr. Berkley. 

Berkley {surprised): Why? 

Abner: 'Cause I'd do mos' anythin' for you — but not 
that — not if you offered me a gold mine for it. I have a 
young daughter's repitation to think of, an' evil tongues, 
would be sure to wag whether there was cause for it 'r 
not — you can see that, can't you? 

Berkley: Of course, — though I didn't think of it when 
planning Gordon's future. I realize how impossible the 



n HER BROTHER'S CODE 

situation would be for you, so let's drop the subject. I'll 
see what I can do to straighten him out in New York. 

Abner: I'm awful' sorry I couldn't do this for you, Mr. 
Berkley — 

Berkley {grasping Other's hand warmly): I appreciate 
your feelings thoroughly. I have a daughter of my own, 
and it was thoughtless of me to make the suggestion I 
did. Let us forget it. I want to take another look around 
the place before we leave. Will you come along .^^ 

{Abner nods assent and both exit above house.) 
{Estelle sticks head out through arbor opening; looks around; 
enters. Is dressed in corduroy outing costume, the skirt 
of which has a rip at side and gives other evidence of recent 
mountain climbing.) 

Estelle {as she enters): Come on, Myra. Not a soul in 
sight. Guess we've stole a march on all of them, and if 
aunty hasn't given us away I think we'll escape a scold- 
ing. 

{Enter Myra from arbor in light-weight, gray buckskin 
costume which also shows efect of the morning's climb.) 

Myra {indicating rip in Estelle' s skirt) : If you can slip into 
the house and change your skirt they'll never know what 
happened to you. . . And really, Estelle, I feel guilty. 
I never was so frightened in my life as when you lost 
your footing — 

Estelle: You didn't show any fright, but if it hadn't been 
for you — well, I guess I'd be with the angels by this 
time — and that's no joking matter. You're a wonder, 
Myra, and that I owe my life to you is something I shall 
never forget. 

Myra: Oh, pshaw! I only reached down and helped to pull 
you up. 



HER BROTHER'S CODE 13 

Estelle: Only! Why, in helping me you came so near going 
over head first yourself that I nearly fainted with terror; 
and the suspense seemed an eternity until you managed 
to get a secure foothold — 

Myra: Don't let us talk about it. To me it is horrible, for 
if anything serious had happened to you I'd never been 
able to forgive myself for allowing you to coax me into 
taking you up Bald Cliff before daylight — and I'll 
never do it again. 

Estelle: Yes, you will. When we come here next year we'll 
do it all over again — that is, all except my fall. I'll be 
more careful then, I promise you. Why, I wouldn't have 
missed it for all the money in the world, and the danger 
only added spice to it. This morning's vision will remain 
with me as long as I live. (Descriptively) I can see it 
now: Pitch darkness all around us — gradually changing 
to the first glimmer of dawn — you and I seated on the 
edge of Bald Cliff, with a sheer drop of a hundred and 
fifty feet to the lake beneath us, waiting for glorious 
Dame Nature to paint a picture that no artist could ever 
portray on canvass — with the first rays of light striking 
the mountain tops like a halo; then revealing the solitary 
peaks in their stately grandeur; next, the wooded slopes 
coming into view with their abundant verdure; and then 
the light creeping down to the lake and flooding it with a 
silvery shimmer — until the majestic sun arose and 
threw a golden shower of scintillating rays over it all, 
crowning the picture with a diadem of jeweled colors that 
seemed to draw my very soul from my body and launch 
it into infinite space ! (Stands looking off as if enthralled by 
her vision^ Myra staring at her in amazement.) 

Myra : Gracious, Estelle ! you've taken my breath away with 
that description. How could you ever find the words .^^ 



14 HER BROTHER'S CODE 

EsTELLE {recovering and throwing arms around her affection- 
ately) : My vocabulary is too limited to properly describe 
this morning's wonderful sight; and I envy you, Myra, 
who can remain here and enjoy Nature's free wilds, 
while I must go back to humdrum city life, with all its 
false ostentation and selfish greed for money-making. 
If father didn't need me in New York, I'd be willing to 
stay here the year round. 

Myra: But I thought New York was just grand when my 
brother took me down there last year — though I was 
afraid the tall buildings would topple over and crush the 
the life out of me. 

EsTELLE {smiling at her naive manner) : Too bad you haven't 
a picture of your brother — so I could see if he resembles 
you. 

Myra: Brother would never have one taken. He's like 
father, who once said he'd break the camera if he ever 
caught anyone snapping him. 

Estelle: I wonder what he'd say if he knew I snapped him 
unawares the other day, — but you mustn't tell him until 
after we're gone. {Bus of amusement between them as 
noise is heard in house.) Now someone is coming out — 
and they'll see this rip in my skirt. I wish I had a pin; 
that's an article a woman should never be without. 
{Enter Gordon from house, yawning, followed by An- 
tonia, scolding; Gordon in tweed outing suit.) 

Gordon {testily, as they enter) : Oh, let me alone, aunty, now 
that I'm up. {Seeing Others) Hello ! Here are the moun- 
tain climbers. You two must be crazy to do a thing 
like that before daylight. 

Estelle {sarcastically, trying to conceal rip): I suppose it's 
more sane to stay in bed all morning as you generally do. 



HER BROTHER'S CODE 15 

You find the bedclothes the best scenery in the world, 
don't you? 

Gordon (noticing rip): Well, they don't tear my wearing 
apparel — as your scenery -viewing seems to have done. 
What part of Bald Cliff did you collide with to get that 
rip, sis? 

EsTELLE : If I told you it wouldn't enlighten your marvelous 
intelligence a particle. You've never been near Bald 
Cliff; in fact, you've never been a hundred yards from 
a rocking-chair since we came here. (Reproachfully to 
Antonia, as Gordon makes an impatient gesture) I thought 
you weren't going to tell where we went, aunty. 

Antonia: I couldn't help it when your father asked for you, 
and as long as you returned safely no harm is done. But 
now you'll have to hurry and change your skirt. We're 
all ready for the trip back to New York — the only city 
in the whole country to me. 

Gordon: Now you're talking sense for once, aunty. I'm 
just aching to get back there — after living all these 
months in this God-forsaken wilderness. 

Estelle: a few months more of this ** wilderness " might 
do you a world of good. Father told me last night he was 
tempted to leave you behind as a cure for your laziness. 
(Myra, who has bent head in reserve upon Gordon's en- 
trance, now looks up with an interested expression.) 

Gordon (alarmed): Leave me behind! Good heavens! I'd 
rather be sent to jail! 

(Myra, unnoticed by Others, gives Gordon a glance of 
reproach, then looks away.) 

Estelle: That's probably where you'll land some day — if 
you don't mend your ways. 

Antonlv : Here ! Stop this ! You come right in the house and 
change your skirt, Estelle. 



16 HER BROTHER'S CODE 

Estelle: All right, aunty. You'd better come with me, 
Myra, for Gordon is the poorest company in the world — 
unless you can talk horse-racing or gambling, and neither 
of these accomplishments is in your line. 
{Gordon shows impatience.) 

Myra {quietly^ not wishing to show she desires an interview 
with Gordon): No; I'll wait here until you're ready to 
go to the boats. Being out-of-doors always suits me the 
best. 

Estelle: I know it, you child of nature; but don't let 
my brother bore you to death. {Going to house with 
Antonia) Gordon, try and make yourself agreeable to 
Myra while I'm gone — however distasteful it must be 
for you to act the part of a gentleman. 

Gordon {snappishly): Your heavy sarcasm goes in one ear 
and out the other. 

Estelle: Because there's nothing inside your head to stop 
it, of course. 

Antonl\: I've got to separate you two or there'll be no end 
to this everlasting bickering. 
{Grasps Estelle' s arm to draw her to door.) 

Estelle {laughingly releasing herself): I'll come peaceably, 
aunty; so reserve your armstrong methods for Gordon's 
benefit. He needs them, but I don't. Myra, please par- 
don me for leaving you at the mercy of my uninteresting 
brother. I'll return as quickly as possible and save you 
from dying of innocuous desuetude. 

{Exits with Antonia in house.) 
{Constrained pause between Gordon and Myra.) 

Myra {slowly) : So you'd rather go to jail, Gordon, than re- 
main here — in the " wilderness " — with me.^^ 

Gordon {nervously): I didn't say that. I was referring to 
the camp — not you. 



HER BROTHER'S CODE 17 

Myra : Don't try to blind me, Gordon. Two months ago — 
when you found your way to my heart — I was an inex- 
perienced child, and I made the fearful mistake of trust- 
ing you and believing in your promises; but since then 
my eyes have opened to a full realization of what you are, 
and I know that you're going away from here with the 
intention of forgetting me entirely. 

Gordon: You're wrong there, Myra. — 

Myra: No; I'm not wrong. I'd like to believe that you 
meant all that you said to me, — but I can't — now. 

Gordon: But I've explained to you that if I told father 
without any warning, he'd probably disinherit me, and 
then I'd be in a fine fix. I don't stand very well with him 
as it is, but I think I can gradually broach the subject 
in New York and get his consent to my marrying you as 
I agreed — if you'll have patience and wait and keep the 
matter secret for the present. 
{Glances toward house apprehensively.) 

Myra: You needn't be alarmed that I shall say a word to 
your people. {He shows relief.) I couldn't bear to see 
your sister turn from me with a shudder. {Bitterly) 
And that's what hurts me the most — that I've had to 
deceive her — when I know she has faith in me — that 
she believes I am the same today as I was when she first 
met me — {with sudden vehemence) — and which I would 
be — if you hadn't come into my life ! — 

Gordon {glancing anxiously toward house): Hush! Not so 
loud. They might hear you. 

Myra {repressing emotion): Oh, I'll keep control over my- 
self until you're safely away from here — and even then 
I'll have to be careful; for if my father ever suspected 
the truth he'd never rest until he'd taken your life — and 
I don't want your blood upon his hands. — 



18 HER BROTHER'S CODE 

Gordon (gaspingly): Good Lord! Is he that kind of a fool? 

Myra (sharply) : Don't you call my father a fool. He's one 
of the squarest men that ever lived, but he believes in the 
ancient law of the wilds that dishonor must be wiped out 
with death. I'm not telling you this to frighten you into 
keeping your promise, — for I don't know as I'd want 
to marry you now — unless — unless it became — neces- 
sary. 

(Turns away with bowed head.) 
(Berkley and Abner heard talking ad lib. beyond house.) 

Gordon (apprehensively): I hear your father's voice. If he 
sees us together he might grow suspicious — and — take 
a shot at me. — 

(Hurries out through arbor.) 
(Myra looks after him disdainfully for an instant at his 
show of cowardice y but decides to follow hiniy going out 
through arbor.) 
(Enter Berkley and Abner at U. E. R.) 

Berkley: I tell you, Kirke, if you'll only come to New 
York I'll give you the time of your life. 

Abner: I ain't been to Noo York for twenty years, but you 
kinder tempt me to take another crack at the town, tho' 
I mos' choked to death the last time I went there. The 
air you get into your lungs should be parboiled afore 
they allow you to swallow it — an' say, ev'ry time I tried 
to cross a street I thought my last moment 'd come, with 
the dodgin', fillin' an' backin' to escape bein' run over. 
Mount'in' climbin' is easy 'side o' tryin' to navigate the 
streets o' Noo York. 

Berkley (amused) : You're a great character, Kirke. Noth- 
ing would please me better than to introduce you to my 
club friends. You'd make them all sit up and take notice. 
At your age you're as spry and strong as a young man of 



HER BROTHER'S CODE 19 

twenty-five, and I don't think there's a better rifle or 
pistol shot in the country than you are today. 

Abner : Shucks, that's nothin' to brag 'bout — when a man 
was born with a gun in his fist. 

Berkley: Say, if I can get away from business this fall I'm 
going to take a few friends up here for a week or two of 
deer-hunting — if you'll agree to show us where to find 
them without too much tramping around. 

Abner: But that's the best an' healthiest part o' the sport. 
You might as well sit down in a pasture an' shoot cows 
as to hang around waitin' for deer to walk up to the end 
o' your gun an' ask you polite-like to kill 'em. That kind 
o' huntin' ain't sport to me — it's slaughter. The longer 
it takes me to track a buck afore I finally nail him, the 
better I like it. It's givin' him some kind o' show to 
beat you at the wood-game. 

Berkley: Tell that to some so-called sportsmen from the 
cities and they'll laugh at you. They're after game and 
don't care how they get it. 

Abner: Well, that kind ain't hunters — jess plain hogs. 
But you bring your friends up here this fall an' I'll see 
they get as many deer as the law allows — if I have to go 
out an' shoot ev'ryone of 'em myself. It wouldn't be the 
first time I've had to do it, an' I reckon mos' guides can 
tell you the same story. 

Berkley (laughing): No doubt; and then the city-sports 
come back to town and brag of the game they have 
killed. 

Abner: Sure; but a guide is paid to shoot straight an' keep 
his mouth shut. (Looking off) But the sun is climbin' 
an' we've got to get across the lake, or you're apt to miss 
the stage. I don't want to hurry you, but I know you're 
anxious to get back to Noo York today. 



20 HER BROTHER'S CODE 

Berkley: Yes; it's a case of must. I'll go in and see there's 
no delay. I heard Estelle's voice as we came by the back 
entrance; so it seems the girls returned all safe and 
sound. 

Abner: I wasn't worryin' none, for I'd trust Myra where I 
wouldn't trust myself in these diggin's. 

Berkley: She's a fine girl, Kirke, and I know Estelle thinks 
the world of her. I hope she'll always remain the sweet, 
lovable child of nature that she is. City life wouldn't 
agree with her at all. 

Abner: No. I sent her to school down at Deer Lodge, but 
she soon kicked over the traces an' came home; so I had 
to hire a woman teacher to stay with us by spells an' got 
her educated that way. I was glad she wouldn't stay at 
school, for when she was gone the cabin seemed dead-like. 
Myra's pretty close to me, Mr. Berkley, for my son is 
away so much; an' if she ever left home, or any thin' hap- 
pened to her — well, I reckon my cracked old heart 
wouldn't last long; I'd jess wilt an' go all to pieces — 
like an old buck that's been driv'n out from the herd an' 
has to beat the wood-paths by his lonesome. 

Berkley: I know just how you feel, Kirke, for my daughter 
is also very close to me; and I dread the day when some 
man will take her away from me — which I suppose will 
happen — some time. 

Abner: Sure's you live. She's too fine a girl to trail along 
through life in single harness. She could make some 
man's home a heav'n on earth, an' I envy the cuss who'll 
finally get her; but he'll have to be some man, I'm a' 
thinkin', to win her. 

Berkley: He'll certainly have to be something beyond a 
fortune-hunter or a cotillion-leader, or I'd be apt to step 
in and raise merry — hallelujah. 



HER BROTHER'S CODE 21 

Abner: That's the way I feel 'bout Myra. If she ever cot- 
toned to a man that didn't use her right, I'd prob'ly 
break him in two an' throw the pieces to the wolves. 

Berkley (laughing): I don't believe I'd care to be around 
and see what happened to the man that ran foul of you, 
Kirke. (Going to house) I'll go in and hustle them up. 
Want to come along? 

Abner: No, thanks. When my womenfolks 're fussin' 
'round the house I gen'ra'ly takes to the tall timbers. 

Berkley: Don't blame you. When my sister takes a fit 
to have a staff of house-cleaners at work down home I 
spend my nights at the club — to be out of harm's way. 

(Exits.) 
(Abner walks up stage, looking off, frowning at delay.) 
(Enter Gordon through arbor; goes toward house; Abner 
swings around alertly at noise he makes; Gordon shows 
nervousness upon seeing him.) 

Abner (without cordiality): Hello, young man. I see your 
aunt got you up all right. 

Gordon (with a forced laugh): Swell chance of staying in 
bed with a pitcher of cold water held over you by an 
angry woman. 

Abner: I 'spose it ain't my place to give you advice; but 
if you'd spent less time in bed and more of it in the open 
while here your muscles wouldn't be as flabby as they 
are. Your father could take you. 'cross his knee right 
now an' give you the larrupin' of your life if he wanted to; 
an' if you'd 'a' been a son o' mine that's prob'ly what 
you'd 'a' got a good many times. 

Gordon (offended): Mr. Kirke, I think such remarks are 
entirely uncalled-for. 

Abner: P'raps they be, but I've a sort o' habit spittin' out 
jess what I think; an' now that you're goin' away I want 



22 HER BROTHER'S CODE 

to put a flea in your ear. I have the greatest respect for 
your father an' sister, but I ain't got a pile o' use for your 
kind o' men; an' if you come back here with your folks 
next summer, jess steer clear o' Myra 'r you'll have me to 
reckon with — an' that'd be somethin' like havin' a 
wildcat land on you — 

Gordon (interrupting) : Mr. Kirke, I — 

Abner: You jess keep quiet while I'm talkin'. I'm Myra's 
father, an' I've got a right to tell you a few things. You 
needn't think I've been stone blind to what's been goin' 
on here, but I don't think Myra's got much use for you 
at that; so I ain't alarmed none that she'd get mixed up 
with the likes o' you in this short time. But women 'r 
women the world over an' will of'en fall for a scallawag 
in spite o' themselves — if they beat the same trail too 
long. So now you jess stick this in your mem'ry: Next 
summer you chop out any talk with Myra, 'r I'm apt to 
make mince-meat o' you first an' do my thinkin' after- 
wards. That'll be 'bout all I've got to say to you. 
(Goes up stagey Gordon casting a furtive glance after him, 
then starting toward house.) 

(Enter Estelle from house in travelling gown; does not see 
Ahner at first.) 

Estelle: Where's Myra.^^ I might have known you couldn't 
keep her interested enough to make her stay here until I 
came out. (Seeing Abner, who comes down stage smiling 
genially.) Ah, good morning, Mr. Kirke. Well, Myra and 
I stole a march on you, didn't we? 

Abner: So I understand. Bet you thought the fine view was 
well worth the hard climb in the dark. 

Estelle: You win the bet. I'd be willing to take that 
climb every clear morning, but I'd have to lay in a good 



HER BROTHER'S CODE 23 

supply of skirts in that case. {To Gordon) Where*d Myra 
go? 

Gordon: Down toward the lake, I think. 

Estelle: Of course. The further she could get away from 
you, the better she'd like it. {To Abner, smilingly) 
I left Myra in my wonderful brother's care while I went 
in to change my dress, but evidently she didn't find 
anything wonderful in his conversation, and decided to 
leave him to talk to himself, as all "geniuses " have a 
habit of doing. 
(Gordon goes into house with an angry gesture.) 

Abner: You're kinder cuttin' to your brother, Miss Estelle. 
You two don't seem to jibe very good. 

Estelle: Oh, pshaw! Let's talk about something more in- 
teresting than my lazy brother. Father told me he's 
coming up here hunting this fall, and you can be sure I'll 
be with him. You know Myra's taught me how to use 
a rifle this summer; so don't be surprised if we two beat 
you men in bringing in game — (reflectively) — though I'm 
wondering if I'll ever have the heart to shoot a deer. 
Those we've seen around here were so beautiful that it 
seems almost like a crime to kill one. 

Abner: Miss Estelle, I've killed a lot o' game in my time, 
but I've never yet drawn a bead on a deer that I didn't 
feel kinder guilty; an' I've never killed a doe intention- 
ally, though sometimes it's hard to tell the bucks apart 
in the thick brush; an' I've of 'en let a good chance go 
by when I've been in doubt. (Sheepishly) I 'spose it's fool- 
ish for an old hunter like me to feel that way, but it's the 
truth. I've killed bears an' lynxes an' wolves without 
thinkin' much 'bout 'em, but when it comes to deer I've 
always felt a bit sqeemish. There's somethin' human- 



24 HER BROTHER'S CODE 

like the way they look at you when you've brought 'em 
down. 

EsTELLE (throwing her arms around him impulsively): That 
feeling is nothing to be ashamed of, for it comes from the 
bottom of your great, big, generous, fine-grained heart; and 
I respect you more than ever for this unconscious avowal. 
(Abruptly, releasing him) Pardon me, Mr. Kirke. I 
suppose you'll consider me rather bold for embracing you 
in this manner, but I really couldn't help it. 

Abner (earnestly): Anythin' you do, little woman, could 
never be very wrong, for you're clean-limbed an' clean- 
minded to the core; an' next to Myra — I'd like nothin' 
better 'n be able to claim you as a daughter. 

Estelle: If I didn't own as good a father as I do, I'd be 
very glad to have you adopt me and let me stay here in 
the wilds the rest of my days. 

Abner: In that case you'd have little spendin' money an' 
less chance to spend it. 

Estelle: That wouldn't bother me a particle. I don't use 
up half the allowance my father gives me. 

Abner: From what I've read 'bout 'em, I thought all city- 
womenfolks never could get 'nuff money to spend for 
clothes, gewgaws, jool'ry, an' suchlike onnecessary stuff; 
an' I kinder reckoned that's why so many of 'em got to 
side-trackin' in trails where they didn't b'long. 

Estelle: You're right, Mr. Kirke. The desire for finery in 
dress and other personal adornment has brought more 
women to the verge of destruction than any cause — ex- 
cept, perhaps, — love. But money and money-making 
ventures never appealed to my nature, and neither do 
they to father. He likes to create new constructive work, 
accomplish difficult engineering feats, and things like 
that; but while his success has brought him good finan- 



HER BROTHER'S CODE 25 

cial returns, his mind is above the sordid money-end of 
his vast business. He probably sacrificed a hundred 
thousand dollars by coming here this summer, but he has 
never once said he regretted it; and if he hadn't prom- 
ised to return to the city I know he'd be willing to remain 
here for a month or two longer — and I'd be tickled to 
death if he could. 

Abner: An' I wouldn't shed any tears to have you here — 
not b 'cause I'm rentin' the camp to you, but b 'cause I 
like you both — more'n I can tell you. 

Estelle: Coming from a true, whole-souled man like you, 
Mr. Kirke, that means a great deal; and I shall always 
look upon you as a sort of second father — and Myra a 
sister. 

Abner: Don't say any more, little girl, or you'll make it 
blamed hard to let you go. I know Myra's goin' to pine 
for you like a fawn that's lost its mother, an' she's 
prob'ly down by the lake cryin' her eyes out. 

Estelle: Then I'll go right down and comfort her and meet 
you at the boat landing. 

{Goes toward Left.) 
{Enter Myra through arbor; shows she has been weeping.) 

Abner: Here she is now, — an' p'raps I wasn't right in telling 
you she's been off by herself havin' a good cry. Her face 
gives all the track-signs that she's been fillin' the lake. 

Estelle {coming down and embracing Myra, who breaks 
into sobsy hiding head and sinking down on settee) : There, 
Myra. Don't take it so hard. We're coming back this 
fall, and next summer we'll be here for at least six months, 
if I have my way about it. 

Abner : That sounds good — if your father agrees to it. 

Estelle: Father generally does as I request, and I'll see 
that he makes no business arrangements to prevent my 



26 HER BROTHER'S CODE 

plans for next summer. (Caressing Myra.) We may 
not have Gordon with us then, but I guess we can manage 
to be happy without him; can't we, Myra? He never 
wanted to go along when we took our rambles through 
the woods, and we wouldn't have enjoyed his company 
anyway. You and I are going to have many a good time 
all by ourselves in the years to follow, you can be sure of 
that, Myra; so dry your tears, little girl, and the months 
will soon speed by. I'd like to take you down to the city 
with me, but I know you'd never feel at home there. — 

Abner: An' I'm afraid I'd have to put a copper on that 
proposition, for we could never get along without Myra. 
Ma Kirke would have a conniption fit if she thought o' 
such a thing, an' I'd prob'ly go off my head like a bull 
moose on the warpath. It'd be jess like takin' a lonely 
young bird from its nest an' leavin' the old ones to grieve 
their hearts out at the loss. 

EsTELLE {still comforting Myra, who remains sohhingly in 
her arms): You dear old soul, I certainly don't want to 
rob your nest of its dearest treasure. That would be a 
cruel thing for anyone to do. 

{Enter Berkley , Gordon, Martha and Antonia from house, 
followed by maid and valet carrying grips, etc.; Berkley 
and Gordon each have a grip in hand.) 

Berkley: We're all ready, Kirke. {To servants) Take the 
grips down to the boat landing and we'll follow. 

{Exit maid and valet at Left.) 

Abner: Brace up, Myra, an' don't show the white feather, 
now that they're ready to go. It ain't like you to go all 
to pieces this way. 

{Gordon glances furtively at Myra, while Others give her 
looks of pity for her supposed grief at leaving Estelle.) 



HER BROTHER'S CODE 27 

EsTELLE {releasing Myra and assuming a jovial mood to 
distract her, Myra making a strong effort to control her 
emotions) : I'm sure you feel much better now, Myra. In 
a case like this there is nothing so good as a few tears to 
relieve a woman's heart. They soothe the wounds that 
partings cause, — and I'll probably have my solace in a 
similar way after we've boarded the train for New York; 
but I'm going to fight it off as long as I can. 

Gordon: Oh, you'll shed buckets of tears all right when you 
think no one is looking. 

EsTELLE (tartly) : You'll never have the satisfaction of seeing 
any tears on your account, and I'll wager Myra feels the 
same way about the " Honorable " Gordon Berkley. 
{Myra forces a smile, but avoids looking at Gordon.) 

Berkley: Say, are you two going to quarrel the last few 
minutes we're here? 

Antonia: I believe they'd do that if they were both on the 
point of death. 

Estelle: I've never quarrelled with Gordon, daddy, as I 
never deemed him worth the effort on my part. He's 
naturally too lazy to put up any kind of an argument and 
make a quarrel interesting. 

Gordon: I'm going on ahead and escape listening to any 
more sarcasm from my would-be witty sister. I'll take 
your grip down to the landing, father. 
{Takes Berkley's grip away from him and hurries out 
at Left, carrying both grips; Others stare after him in 
surprise.) 

Estelle : Is the world coming to an end — when Gordon 
actually offers to carry two grips? Wonders will never 
cease here on earth, that's quite evident. 

Berkley {smiling): Never saw him in such a hurry in my 
Hfe. 



28 HER BROTHER'S CODE 

Antonia: Perhaps he's made up his mind to turn over a 

new leaf. 
Estelle: He'll have to turn over a book of leaves before I'll 

believe this sudden activity is genuine. 
Abner: I think we'd better follow the young man's lead an' 

hurry along ourselves. I'm gettin' a mite worried that 

Hank an' the stage '11 be gone if we don't reach the other 

side o' the lake pretty soon. When he took your trunks 

yesterday he hinted that he wouldn't wait too long to- 
day, an' a hint from Hank is as good as a kick from cranky 

mule. 
Berkley: Then let us move along. 

{All but Myra go toward Left.) 
Estelle: Come on, Myra. You and I should beat Gordon 

down to the landing — even with the start he has. Are 

you game for a sprint.^ 
Myra : I — I prefer not to go to the landing, if you don't 

mind. I'd rather say good-bye — here. 

{Others stop in surprise.) 
Estelle: Why, I thought you were going to row across the 

lake with me in one of the boats! 
Myra: I'd — I'd rather not. It would only prolong the — 

the parting. 
Abner: I reckon I know how Myra feels, an' I'd let her have 

her own way, if I were you. She's always been a little 

shy on leave-takin's. 
Martha: But you didn't say good-bye to the young man, 

Myra. 
Estelle (laughingly) : She never got a chance — because 

of his sudden display of activity. 
Myra {forcing a smile): Guess he won't mind that I didn't, 

and you can tell him from me that I hope — I hope you'll 



HER BROTHER'S CODE 29 

have a pleasant journey to New York — and — and — 
that's all I can say. 

{Shakes hands with Antonia and Berkley, who make cor- 
dial ad lib. remarks of parting andwishirig her well; then she 
embraces Estelle a little hysterically.) 

Good-bye, Estelle. Be sure and write me — once in a 
while. 

Estelle: I certainly will. God keep you well and happy 
until I see you again, my dear, sweet friend of the wilds. 
{Kisses her with show of emotion.) By-bye, little girl; 
by-bye! 

{Kisses her again and hurries out at Left, Myra turning 
away with a sob.) 

{Abner motions to Others to follow Estelle; they exit; Abner 
makes move to go to Myra and comfort her, but changes his 
mind; exits abruptly after a pitying look at his daughter, 
who goes to settee, sinking down in same and sobbing 
bitterly.) 

Myra {checking sobs after a few moments, speaking in tone 
of self-reproach) : Oh, Estelle ! if you only knew how it 
hurts me to deceive you! 

{Bows head, pressing hand to bosom, as Paul enters from 
beyond house in travelling suit, carrying small grip, he 
seeing her, but she unaware of his arrival. Paul is smil- 
ing as he enters, but sobers up on seeing her attitude. Myra 
looks up again, staring straight in front of her, speaking 
intensely.) 

Oh, what a mistake I've made! Why, oh, why did you 
ever come into my life, Gordon Berkley? And why did 
I ever listen to you? Why didn't someone warn me of my 
danger? — 

{Stops abruptly, hearing Paul behind her, he coming down 
stage with an apprehensive look at what he has heard. 



30 HER BROTHER'S CODE 

She leaps up; swings around; runs to him with a cry of 

amazement.) 

Paul ! — brother ! 

(Throws herself hysterically into his arms, he dropping grip, 

tenderly stroking her hair as he bends over and kisses her.) 

Paul {sadly) : And I've come home after a year's absence to 
find my little sister in tears. 

Myra (looking up with a forced smile) : But you won't see any 
more — now that you're here; but how could you arrive 
without our knowing it? 

Paul: I wanted to surprise you. I came up the back trail 
as far as Mark Henly's last night, but as it was dark then, 
I didn't w^ant to chance it over the mountain paths; so 
I waited until daylight this morning to make the rest of 
the way. Father and mother well.^^ 

Myra: Oh, yes — and they'll be just tickled to death to see 
you, Paul. Mother's down by the cabin now, very likely, 
but father is taking our summer guests across the lake to 
catch the stage. We'll go down and surprise mother. 

(Makes move to go.) 

Paul: Wait a moment, Myra. When I came around the 
house you were crying, and I heard what you said — 
when you thought you were alone — 

Myra (interrupting nervously) : You mustn't mind anything 
I said, Paul. I was sorry to have our summer guests 
leave so soon, and I suppose I made some foolish remarks 
— in fact, I don't remember just what I did say. 

Paul: But I do. You're not a good story teller, Myra, and 
never were. You've always been frank and open with 
me — (sighing grimly) — and now I want the truth, the 
whole truth, and nothing but the truth — as to what 
Gordon Berkley is, or has been, to you this summer. I 
came directly from New York last night. While there I 



HER BROTHER'S CODE 31 

made some inquiries about the Berkleys, and I heard 
many things regarding the son that were not to his credit 

— and I cut all matters short to get home, but evidently 
I have arrived too late. 

Myra (shrinking away from him with a shudder) : Paul ! — 
don't look at me that way — I didn't know — didn't 
understand — and you must not despise me, Paul, or it 
will kill me ! — 

Paul (taking her into his arms, she sobbing): Despise you — 
my little innocent sister! Never! If father, mother, the 
whole world turned against you in this hour of your 
greatest trouble, I'd still stand by you — and fight for 
you — until I dropped dead ! No matter what has hap- 
pened, I can never blame you; for you were but a child 
whom an experienced rake easily beguiled. To me you 
are as pure today as you were when I was home last sum- 
mer, but if you ever needed a brother's protecting arm, 
now is the time; and I'm going to right your wrongs be- 
fore many days have passed by. 

Myra (apprehensively) : What do you intend to do, Paul.? 

Paul: There is but one thing to do. Our ancestors' law of the 
wilds demanded "an eye for an eye; a limb for a limb" 

— and I'm going to invoke that law. I wanted to stay 
home for a month, but now I've got to go and kill a snake. 

Myra: No, no! You must not think of it! To take his life 
would be wrong, Paul, for I consider myself equally to 
blame ! 

Paul: You can never make me take that viewpoint. You're 
not the first girl he has fooled, but you shall be the last one. 

Myra : And you would wreck your whole future — bring dis- 
grace upon your father and mother — by such actions? 
No, Paul. I'll manage to live down my personal dis- 
grace — some way — but you must not add to it. 



32 HER BROTHER'S CODE 

Paul: But, Myra, I — 

Myra {interrupting determinedly): Listen to me, Paul. If 
you don't promise me, here and now, to make no attempt 
upon Gordon Berkley's life, you'll find my drowned body 
in the lake at the first opportunity. 

Paul (staggered): Good God, Myra! You can't mean that! 

Myra : As there is a heaven above us, I do — unless you 
give me your solemn promise; for I know you'll keep it, 
once it is given. 

Paul: Do you love him, Myra? 

Myra : I thought I did — when he first came here, but now 
I'm in doubt; I don't know — I can't explain what my 
feelings toward him are — even to myself — and that 
has nothing to do with the case as far as you are con- 
cerned. I admire and respect his father and sister highly, 
and they shall not be made to suffer through any fault 
of mine. I am waiting for your answer, Paul. 

Paul: You're asking too much of me, Myra. 

Myra: Is it asking too much of my brother to let me live — 
in spite of the disgrace I shall always feel.^^ 

Paul (vehemently): I believe you're placing this alternative 
before me to save the Berkleys from disgrace. 

Myra: I admit it — frankly, but I am also trying to save 
my brother from becoming a murderer and bringing sor- 
row and grief upon his aged parents. I am waiting, 
Paul, — waiting for your answer. 

Paul (after a few moments* pause, sighing) : I give you the 
promise you request, Myra. 

Myra (relieved): Thank God! 

(Sinks down on her knees devoutly as 

CURTAIN FALLS, 

End of Act I. 



ACT II 



ACT II 

(Three months later) 
Scene — Drawing Room of the Berkleys' New York Home 

Room sumptuously furnished, with doors at Center and Left; 

at Right a grand piano; a stack of sheet music on piano, with a 

small oval gilt frame containing snap-shot of a girl. 

Curtain Rises, disclosing Maid finishing with dusting and 

rearranging furniture. 

Enter Antonia at Left, in evening gown. 

Antonia (glancing around fussily): Very good, Annette. 
You might go into the Hbrary and straighten up a bit, in 
case Mr. Berkley should decide to take our guest in there 
for a chat. 

(Maid hows and goes to Left.) 

And then you can give the smoking room a little going 
over. Possibly the men will wish to enjoy a cigar or two. 
(Maid bows and is about to open door.) 
And you might go to my room and pick up a little; 
(Maid bows again and opens door.) 

and don't forget Estelle's room; she always leaves it in a 
mess after she's through dressing, you know. 
{Maid bows again y but makes no move to go, as if expecting 
further orders.) 

That will be about all I can think of just now. 
(Maid turnsy showing relief.) 

Oh, by the way, you'd better look into Gordon's room 
when you're through with the others — if he isn't occupy- 
ing it. He's worse than Estelle in scattering his things 
around. That's all. 

35 



36 HER BROTHER'S CODE 

(Maid hows again; shows weary expression as she goes 
out, closing door.) 

{Antonia gives closer inspection to Maid's work.) 
(Estelle enters at Center in evening gown; carries an open 
letter in hand; shows agitation.) 

Estelle: Oh, aunty! IVe just made a fearful discovery. 
(Giving letter to Antonia.) I found this letter in the hall- 
way upstairs — where Gordon must have dropped it ac- 
cidentally, for naturally he'd never want any of us to 
know how cruelly he has wronged that poor little girl up 
in the Adirondacks. Bad as he is, I never dreamed that 
he could be so base and heartless. Poor, miserable Myra 
must have written to him repeatedly, but evidently he 
has ignored her letters. Oh, what a scoundrel of a 
brother I have! 

Antonia. (looking up from letter with horrified expression): 
Good gracious! I can scarcely believe my eyesight! 

Estelle : Neither could I — when I picked it up and gave it 
a glance to see if it was anything worth saving. I'm so 
glad none of the servants or father chanced to see it — 
and we must keep this from him by all means, or the 
shock might bring back his old trouble — and that might 
mean his death. 

Antonia (sadly, giving letter to Estelle): My poor brother 
Calvin certainly has a heavy cross to bear with such a 
son. Gambling, horse-racing, drinking — and now this 
on top of it all. 

Estelle (vehemently) : What Gordon needs is a good horse- 
whipping — if not worse. 

Antonia : But how foolish of Myra to — 

Estelle: Don't say a word against her, aunty. I have 
nothing but pity for Myra Kirke — of whose child-like 
innocence Gordon took a cowardly advantage. I now 



HER BROTHER'S CODE 37 

understand why she refused to go down to the boat land- 
ing to see us off the morning we left the camp. The poor, 
brave little girl took the best way of avoiding an em- 
barrassing situation ; and from her letter you can see that 
she would never have written Gordon at all, if she hadn't 
later discovered — {abruptly , crumpling letter in her 
hands). — Oh, why should there be such miserable men 
in this world, and why should my own brother be one 
of them? 
(Walks around in agitation.) 

Antonia: You must calm yourself, Estelle. Mr Weston 
will soon be here, and you won't be fit to receive him if 
you dwell upon this subject. 

Estelle {with an effort to check her agitation): I know it. 
But much as I like Mr. Weston, I wish he weren't coming 
here tonight, — though father invited him for a little pri- 
vate business talk. 

Antonia {meaningly): But I have an idea that your 
father rather likes to have you meet the clever young 
man frequently — perhaps you know why better than 
I do. 

Estelle (a little confused): Oh, don't talk nonsense, aunty. 
Father admires Mr. Paul Weston greatly because of his 
skill as a civil engineer. 

Antonia: But he has only been employed in the Berkley 
Construction Company for a little over two months — 

Estelle: Yes; and in that short time he has already saved 
the concern many thousands of dollars by his clever plan- 
ning of new constructive work; and, as I am more or less 
interested in engineering matters, it is quite natural for 
father to invite him here where we can discuss matters 
informally. 



38 HER BROTHER'S CODE 

Antonia {dryly) : H'm. I suppose so. And yet we know very 
little about the young man. 

Estelle: He came from Chicago well recommended, but 
his work has proven that he is one of the finest engineers 
in the country, and that goes further with daddy than all 
the recommendations in the world. 

Antonia: And evidently his daughter takes the same view. 

Estelle: What if I do? Have you anything against Mr. 
Weston, aunty? 

Antonl^: No; but the acquaintance is rather short to admit 
this employee and comparative stranger into our home 
life; and society frowns upon such things — 

Estelle : Oh, society be switched ! You know I mingle very 
little with so-called society and care less what they think 
or say about me; — (semi-sarcastically) — and father and I 
decided long ago to let you carry off all the society honors 
for the family, aunty. 

Antonia (snappishly): There will be few honors to carry 
off — if Gordon continues in his present course. When 
this new escapade become noised abroad we won't any 
of us dare to show our faces among friends and acquaint- 
ances. 

Estelle: We certainly shall, for Gordon will have to do the 
right thing by Myra Kirke. 

Antonia: You mean — he must marry her? 

Estelle: Of course. That is the only thing he can do, but 
I pity the poor girl for being compelled to take a cad 
like him for a husband. 

Antonia: Don't call your brother a cad, Estelle. 

Estelle: Has he ever been anything else? He is worse than 
a cad — in beguiling that little innocent child. Oh, I 
can't find words strong enough to condemn him! If I 



HER BROTHER'S CODE 39 

were a brother to him, instead of sister, I'd be tempted to 
wring his neck! 

Antonia: Hush, Estelle! It's very unladylike to talk that 
way. 

Estelle : I don't care. When I think of that poor little girl 
up there in the mountains — heartbroken and forsaken — 
my blood boils to avenge her wrongs; for I feel partly to 
blame in suggesting to father to take Gordon along on our 
vacation. If we'd left him in the city — no matter what 
happened to him — Myra Kirke wouldn't be in the de- 
plorable situation she now finds herself. But Gordon 
shall learn that for once he has overstepped all bounds. 

Antonl^ : But suppose he refuses to — 

Estelle: He'd better not, — or he'll force me to do some- 
thing desperate. 

Antonlv: What can you do — when you don't dare to tell 
your father.^ 

Estelle: Don't ask me any questions, aunty. My plans are 
rather vague as yet, but I intend to arouse Gordon to a 
sense of justice — if I have to jeopardize my own honor 
in the attempt to right the hideous wrong to the little 
girl who couldn't be dearer to me than she is if she were 
my own sister; and I hold her blameless in my mind — 
no matters what others may think. 

Antonia : But you know our set could never accept her upon 
equal terms, even though Gordon marries her — 

Estelle: Then "our set" can go to — Halifax — as far 
as I am concerned. If ever a girl needed a stanch friend, 
poor Myra Kirke does today, and I propose to show her 
that friendship means something to me beyond mere 
words. Any person that points the finger of scorn at 
Myra will be cut out from my visiting list for all time. 



40 HER BROTHER'S CODE 

Antonia: Oh, dear! I'm afraid you've undertaken an im- 
possible task. 

Estelle: That remains to be seen, aunty. All I ask of you 
is to be careful that father doesn't suspect anything until 
after Gordon has married Myra, when I shall broach the 
subject to daddy judiciously. 

Antonia: What a blow this will be to my poor brother. 

Estelle {putting letter in bosom): Another thing, aunty. 
Don't let Gordon understand that you are aware of my 
finding the letter. I want him to think that I am the 
only one in the house who knows of his rascality. 

Antonia: I'll gladly agree to that. I couldn't bear to meet 
him if I thought he knew that you had shown the lettef 
to me. 

{Enter Gordon at Left; Estelle assumes usual demeanor, 
while Antonia turns away to hide her feelings.) 

Gordon: Estelle, may I see you in the library for a moment? 

Estelle: If you have any eyesight you can see me right 
here. 

Gordon {with a side glance at Antonia) : But I — I — 

Estelle {laughing forcedly): Aunty, Gordon doesn't want 
to tell you to get out; he's too much of a gentleman for 
that; but he means he'd like you to leave the room just 
the same. 
{Gordon makes an impatient gesture at EstelWs banter.) 

Antonia {frigidly) : I shall be only too glad to remove myself 
from his presence. 

{Walks out stiffly.) 

Estelle : Now you can use your eyesight without embarrass- 
ment. Is this going to be a *' touching " scene .'^ Since 
father cut down your allowance you rarely hunt me up 
unless it's to ask for money. 



HER BROTHER'S CODE 41 

Gordon: Oh, don't be so sarcastic. You know what I get 
now wouldn't keep a canary bird in spending money, and 
I'm in the hole at the club. 

Estelle: And you want me to pull you out of the hole, don't 
you? It's such a brotherly thing to ask of a sister. How 
much do you need to pay your gambling debts? 

Gordon: Oh, I've had a rotten run of luck lately. It'll take 
about a hundred to clear me at the club; and say, Estelle, 
if you'll help me out this time I'll promise to cut out cards 
for a good while. 

Estelle : Don't make any promises, for you never kept one 
in your life. 

Gordon (whiningly) : What's the use of " rubbing it in " to 
me all the time, sis, the way you do? I'm no worse than 
the rest of the fellows at the club. 

Estelle: I think you are — in fact, I know you are. 

Gordon: In what way? 

Estelle: I prefer not to enter into details. Your code of 
morals is not a pleasant topic for discussion between 
brother and sister. 

Gordon (gloomily) : I suppose this is a preamble to your re- 
fusal to help me out. 

Estelle: No-o; I'm going to surprise you in many ways 
tonight, Gordon. I intend to be very generous with you 
as far as finances are concerned. , 

Gordon (brightening up) : Indeed ! Then it must be because 
you're in a good mood on account of this Weston being 
expected here this evening. I haven't had the pleasure of 
meeting the gentleman yet; but from the praises you and 
father are forever sounding about him, he must be a 
wonder. 

Estelle: It would be worth your while to cultivate Mr. 



42 HER BROTHER'S CODE 

Weston's acquaintance, for he is a real man — one you 
could copy after to good advantage. 

Gordon: You must be getting " struck " on him, sis. 

EsTELLE (sharply) : We'll dispense with any slangy reference 
as to my regard for Mr. Weston, if you please, or I shall 
be compelled to leave the room. 

Gordon: Oh, come; can't you take a joke? 

Estelle: I can — when there's any joke in sight; but I fail 
to see a particle of humor in the coarse remark you just 
made. 

Gordon: I stand corrected, sis; and beg your pardon. 

Estelle : Which you wouldn't do if you didn't expect to get 
some more money out of me. 
(Gordon bites lips with chagrin.) 

In spite of father's disapproval I have given you financial 
aid many times, but tonight I'm going to be especially 
liberal to you — provided you agree to something I want 
you to do. 

Gordon: Why, of course I'll be only too glad to return the 
favor in any way I can. 

Estelle: I'm pleased to hear you say that, and I hope you 
mean it. 

Gordon: Just tell me what you want me to do and I'll show 
you whether I mean it or not. 

Estelle: Very well; I'll give you my check for five hundred 
dollars — which you can cash at your club, settle your 
debts there, and still have about four hundred left, I be- 
lieve, from what you said. Am I right .^^ 

Gordon (amazed): Yes; but say, sis, you're certainly taking 
my breath away. Guess I've misjudged you. You're a 
real good sport after all, Stel. 

Estelle (with a little grim smile) : Perhaps you won't con- 
sider me such a *' sport " when you hear the proviso. 



HER BROTHER'S CODE 43 

Gordon: What do you want me to do — go out and slug 
somebody who's insulted you? 

EsTELLE {dryly) : Hardly. If I wanted any *' slugging " done 
I'd have to hire a thug for the purpose, as I don't think 
you possess either the brute courage or enough physical 
ability to resent an insult — even to your sister. 

Gordon {vrith assumed bravado) : You just try me and find 
out. 

Estelle: Perhaps I will — some day. 

Gordon: Don't beat around any more, Stel. What is it you 
want me to do? 

Estelle {slowly, looking at him fixedly) : I want you to go to 
the club tonight; pay your debts there and resign from 
membership; then return home early and obtain a good 
night's rest, and be prepared to take the first train in the 
morning to catch the stage for Kirke's Cove in the 
Adirondacks. 

Gordon : Good Lord, sis ! Why should I go up to that bleak 
wilderness? 

Estelle: You are going up there to marry Myra Kirke. 

Gordon {staggered) : Marry — Myra Kirke ! — Why should 
I do that? 

Estelle {with an expression of disgust) : You know why — 
better than I do. 

Gordon: Has she — has she written you? — 

Estelle: I haven't heard from Myra for some time, and I 
have been wondering at her silence. Now I happen to 
know the reason she has avoided writing to me. 

Gordon : What do you know about — about anything — 
unless she has written to you? 

Estelle {pointing an accusing finger at him) : A guilty con- 
science needs no accuser. Your own actions now convict 
you, and I am judging you accordingly. 



44 HER BROTHER'S CODE 

Gordon (blusteringly) : You're judging me wrongly, in that 
case. Myra Kirke is nothing to me, and if she is making 
accusations of — anything — my word is as good as hers, 
and I deny that she has any hold on me. 

Estelle: Oh, you contemptible cur! By what freak of na- 
ture could an upright man like father have a scoundrel 
of a son like you ! 

Gordon: If you're going to heap abuse upon me I'd better 
get out. 

Estelle: You'll remain here until I'm through, or I'll lay 
the whole matter before father tonight — and that will 
end you in this house. Then you'd either have to go to 
work and earn a living or starve to death, and as you are 
absolutely unfit for any employment you can guess where 
you'd finally land — in a tramp's early grave. 

Gordon: And you'd be the cause of that.'^ Don't expect me 
to swallow such rot. You think too much of the name of 
Berkley to make us a laughing stock. And as far as 
marrying Myra is concerned — that's out of the question. 
She's too far beneath our station in life. 

Estelle (vehemently) : But she was good enough for you to 
beguile, deceive and betray under a promise of mar- 
riage ! — 

Gordon (sharply): You must have been prying around in 
my correspondence to have discovered all this — 
(Checks himself.) 

Estelle: Don't judge others by your own standard. I'm 
not in the habit of *' prying around." 

Gordon: How else could you have learned anything about 
Myra.'^ — and mind you, I don't admit being at fault, no 
matter what you think you've found out. 

Estelle: No; you're not man enough for that; but you're 



HER BROTHER'S CODE 45 

going to marry that little innocent girl, mark what I tell 
you. 

Gordon: You'll have a swell time trying to arrange such a 
match. If you told father — he'd probably disinherit me, 
but I don't think you dare to do it; for very likely he'd 
get another shock, and that would kill him. As for Myra's 
innocence — Bah ! 

Estelle: Oh, what a miserable cad you are! I wish I were 
a man — just for five minutes — and I'd beat you until 
you begged for mercy. 

Gordon (flippantly): But as you happen to be a woman I 
can feel easy, I suppose. 

Estelle: Don't goad me too far, Gordon. I haven't dissi- 
pated my strength away like you, and if you say another 
word derogatory to Myra's character I'm quite apt to — 
{Steps toward him aggressively.) 

Gordon {edging away) : Why all this fuss over a casual ac- 
quaintance of a summer vacation.^ If what you're hint- 
ing at were true — as you evidently believe it is — I 
should think you'd be glad to drop her from your mind. 

Estelle : As you have done — after accomplishing the 
worst evil of your worthless existence. But I want you 
to understand that I attach little blame to Myra, for in 
her child-like innocence she became an easy victim to 
your experienced guile; and my heart goes out to her in 
sincere pity that she had to run foul of a snake like you ! 

Gordon: Nice names you're calling your brother. 

Estelle: Everything I've called you fits your characteris- 
tics perfectly. Could there be a worse specimen of man- 
hood than you are.^^ Even though you promised Myra 
you'd marry her, you've entirely ignored her letters 
wherein she pleads with you to keep your promise. — 



46 HER BROTHER'S CODE 

Gordon : How do you know all this — unless you've ran- 
sacked my room? 

Estelle: I haven't been near your room — couldn't bear 
its atmosphere for an instant, with the lingering aroma 
of stale cigarette butts and nauseating whiskey-smell 
pervading every nook and corner of it, no matter how 
much airing the maid gives it when you're out. 

Gordon : The room suits me — 

Estelle: Of course it does. Filth delights in filth. 
(As Gordon makes angry gesture.) 

But I'll tell you how I discovered your perfidy toward 
Myra Kirke. You carelessly dropped her last letter in 
the upper hallway, and it was fortunate that I was the 
person to find it — instead of the servants. 

Gordon (flustered) : You had no business to read the letter — 
if you did find it. 

Estelle: It was a loose sheet that I picked up. If it had 
been in an envelope I should never have looked at it. 

Gordon: Where's the letter now.^ 

Estelle (indicating bosom) : Here — next to my heart — 
lies the tear-stained sheet — with the cry of mental 
agony exuding from every line the poor girl wrote. 

Gordon: Kindly hand it over; it belongs to me. 

Estelle: No; it now belongs to me, — by the right of hav- 
ing found it, — though nothing would please me better 
than to have you try to take it away from me. 

Gordon: Oh, you're looking for a chance to scratch my eyes 
out, I presume; but I won't give you the opportunity. 
Keep it as long as you like. 

Estelle: I shall — until you've married Myra Kirke. 

Gordon: Then I'll never get the letter back, that's sure. 

Estelle: Perhaps not. (Changing mood) Gordon, if I 
thought you had a spark of manhood in your make-up I'd 



HER BROTHER'S CODE 47 

get down on my knees and plead with you to do what is 
right by Myra; but knowing you as well as I do, I realize 
it would be useless to appeal for justice from a man of 
your stamp. {Turning away with a sigh) Kindly leave 
the room — and let me be alone — with my grief. 

Gordon {hesitatingly): I don't suppose you'll help me out 
now — 

EsTELLE {swinging back) : I told you what I'd do. My offer 
still awaits your acceptance — upon the terms stated ; 
and I'll go further: I'll give you practically my whole 
allowance to live upon if you'll marry Myra. 

Gordon: That's out of the question. Why, I'd be a joke 
among my friends and acquaintances. I'd never dare to 
show myself at the club — or anywhere else. 

Estelle: What a miserable, selfish creature you are. You 
haven't a thought for the plight of the poor girl you have 
wronged. Go! — before I lose my self-control! 

Gordon: But couldn't you let me have the hundred for my 
club debts? 

Estelle: Not one penny for anything save the purpose I 
stated. 

Gordon {doggedly) : If you refuse to help me out I'm apt to 
do something desperate. 

Estelle: I don't care what you do — or what becomes of 
you — when you decline to even try to be some sort of 
an apology for a man. To me you are a brother no longer. 
Go! 

Gordon: You'll regret this, Estelle. 

Estelle: My regrets need not trouble you. {Going to Center) 
Seeing you won't leave the room, I shall have to do so to 
end this useless discussion. But please do not remain 
here when our guest arrives. 



48 HER BROTHER'S CODE 

Gordon: Oh, I'll get out. You needn't leave on my account. 
(Going to Left) But if I go straight to the dogs from now 
on you can blame yourself, — that's all. 

(Exits.) 
(Estelle glances after him with aversion, then sighs; goes 
to piano; picks up photo; stares at it intently.) 

Estelle (speaking to photo with emotion): You poor child; 
how I pity you; and in order to arouse my brother to a 
sense of justice, little girl, I'm going to compromise my- 
self with the man I love — and then I'll probably lose 
him — but I'll do it — I'll do it — for your sake — if it 
breaks my heart! 

(Kisses photo reverently; replaces it on piano; leans over 
top of same and buries face in hands with a heavy sob.) 

Berkley (outside at Center): 1 guess we'll find her in the 
drawing room. 

(Estelle straightens up abruptly; dries her eyes hastily and 
prepares to receive the guest.) 

(Enter Berkley and Paul at Center; Berkley in smoking 
jacket; Paul in street suit.) 

Estelle (stepping up to meet them, shaking hands with Paul 
smilingly) : I was afraid you weren't coming, Mr. Weston, 
although father said you'd be here. 

Paul (reservedly) : A little accident on the *' L " detained me, 
or I should have arrived earlier. 

Berkley (genially) : Then you'll have to stay a little later 
to make up for it. 

Estelle: Where's aunty, father.^ 

Berkley: Annette told me she has one of her customary 
headaches and won't be able to come downstairs this 
evening. (To Paul) My sister is subject to such at- 
tacks, so you'll have to put up with our company — in 
fact, I'm going to leave you to the tender mercies of my 



HER BROTHER'S CODE 49 

daughter^for a little while, as there is a matter I want to 
attend to immediately. {To Estelle) Is Gordon in the 
house? 

Estelle: I believe so; he's probably up in his room. 

Berkley: Glad of that; I want to see him. (To Paul) 
You'll pardon my leaving you for a few minutes, but my 
daughter can be a good entertainer when she wants to be, 
and I sha'n't be gone long. Estelle, you play for him. 
He told me at the office that he enjoyed your music the 
last time he was here. 

Paul: I certainly did. 

Berkley : Then I have no fear that she'll bore you — as 
she does me sometimes with her piano-playing. I'm 
afraid I was born without the proper appreciation for 
music. 

Estelle (laughingly): You surely were, father. The only 
thing in the line of music that you can appreciate is the 
ringing chorus of thousands of hammers, sledged and riv- 
eting machines in mammoth construction work. Any less 
noisier musical instruments are entirely lost upon your 
delicate sense of hearing. 

Berkley: Isn't she delightfully sarcastic, Paul.^* You'd 
better look out for her, or she'll rip you all to pieces if she 
gets the least chance. 

Estelle {with mock reproachfulness) : Now, father, don't 
make me out worse than I am. Mr. Weston is apt to 
think I'm a virago, if you say too much; and you surely 
ought to shield your daughter's failings. 

Berkley: I would — if you had any " failings" to shield, — 
but I can't find any. {To Paul) As she lost her 
mother when a mere baby I've had to be both father and 
mother since then, and she comes pretty near being my 



50 HER BROTHER'S CODE 

greatest treasure; so in leaving her to entertain you, I'm 
offering you the best my house affords. 
{Estelle shakes a chiding finger at her father.) 

Paul: And I appreciate it, Mr. Berkley. 

Berkley: Our acquaintance is short, but I want you to feel 
perfectly at home here, as I have a great deal of confidence 
in you, or I should never have invited you to my house. 
But to tell you the truth, after you met my daughter at 
the office several times, it was at her suggestion that you 
received the first invitation. — 

Estelle {smilingly, though a trifle confused): Now, daddy, 
you're giving me dead away. For the shrewd business 
man that you are, you certainly make some awful 
blunders. You'd better leave before you " put your foot 
in it " any further, 

Berkley {going to Left, laughing): You see; she wants to 
get rid of me and have you all to herself. — 

Estelle: Daddy, if you don't stop, I'll — 

Berkley: I'm off, — but I'll soon return. Until then be on 
your guard, Paul. 

{Exits, chuckling.) 

Estelle: You mustn't mind what father says. He's the 
dearest daddy in all the world, but he's bound to have his 
fun at my expense. {Turning to piano) What shall I 
play for you? Is there any particular composer that you 
prefer to hear? 

Paul {following her to piano) : Really, I haven't any prefer- 
ence, — although I am, perhaps, more partial to American 
composers than to foreign ones. — 

{Unnoticed by Estelle he gives a start upon seeing Myra's 
photo on piano.) 

Estelle: Then I shall play some of MacDowell's composi- 



HER BROTHER'S CODE 51 

tions. {Hunts through music pile entirely unaware of 
PauVs strained attitude as he stares at photo) If I can 
find it, there's one called "To a Wild Rose " that is 
delightfully simple, but exquisitely beautiful. 

Paul {recovering composure, picking up photo, speaking cas- 
ually) : Who is this young lady, if I may ask? 

EsTELLE {looking up, speaking soberly): That is a snap-shot 
of a girl I met this summer up in the Adirondacks. Her 
name is Myra Kirke. {Abruptly) I wish I could find 
that piece of music. 
{Begins turning over music again to avoid further questions.) 

Paul {misunderstanding her motive in dropping subject, stares 
at Estelle reproachfully for an instant; then, looking at 
photo, speaks casually again): Your description of the 
MacDowell composition, " To a Wild Rose," might fit 
the original of this photograph, if I am judging it rightly. 

Estelle (briefly, busy with music): Yes; you're quite right. 
She's a beautiful child of Nature's wilds — simple and un- 
affected — a true wild rose. 

Paul {reflectively, still looking at photo): And wild roses are 
often plucked by ruthless hands and wantonly destroyed. 

Estelle {dropping music and staring at him in amazement): 
Why, one would almost suppose that you knew — that 
you knew her. What prompted you to make that remark.? 

Paul {laughing it of, putting photo back on piano noncha- 
lantly) : Oh, I have a bad habit of trying to read people's 
characteristics from their pictures and making crazy 
prognostications . 

Estelle: Hardly crazy. You seem to possess strange powers 
of divination — {breaking off abruptly with a forced laugh) 
— I'm going after a picture of her father and show it to you. 
I snapped him unawares this summer, as he has a de- 



52 HER BROTHER'S CODE 

cided aversion to camera reproductions. (Going to Left) 
Pardon me for leaving you for a few moments. 

(Exits.) 
(Paul looks after her frowningly, then picks up photo 
again, staring at it tenderly.) 

Paul (speaking to photo, with grim expression): Guess she 
doesn't care to talk much about you, Myra. You don't 
belong to her set — though her brother considered you 
good enough to betray. But I'm going to avenge your 
dishonor, sister mine, by delivering a blow of " poetic 
justice " through the daughter of this house. 
(Replaces photo and turns over music listlessly.) 

EsTELLE (entering at Left, with snap-shot mounted on card- 
board) : This is the only one I was able to get of him. Now 
let me hear you read his characteristics, Mr. Clairvoyant. 

Paul (taking picture, looking at it casually): That's a good 
snap-shot — very clear. The light must have been excel- 
lent when you took it. 

Estelle: It was, and he doesn't know to this day that I 
caught him. But tell me what you think of the man? 

Paul (with assumed study of picture) : He's a fine, rugged, old 
backwoods' type, I should judge; honest and square as a 
die ; but God help the man who might injure his daugh- 
ter. There would come a fearful day of reckoning for 
that luckless individual — if he ever dreamed anything 
was wrong. 

Estelle (gaspingly): Gracious! I'm really afraid of your 
uncanny gifts. You have read him perfectly. (Trying to 
laugh it off) I'd never dare to show you a picture of 
myself. 

Paul (handing hack snap-shot, looking at her intently) : Having 
the original before me, I don't need a picture. 



HER BROTHER'S CODE 53 

EsTELLE {roguishly, hut a trifle confused by his stare) : Then, 
if you'll promise to be lenient with my idiosyncrasies, I'd 
like to have you tell me what you think of — the original. 

Paul: I don't dare to do that. 

Estelle: Why? 

Paul: Because you are the daughter of a man of wealth 
whose employee I happen to be. 

Estelle: What has that to do with it? 

Paul: Everything. It would be the height of presumption 
on my part to enter into any familiar delineation of your 
characteristics. 

Estelle: Nonsense. I believed you to be broad-minded 
enough to realize that mere money cuts no figure with 
either father or myself; and when we invited you to visit 
our home, we certainly didn't want you to feel the slight- 
est degree of inferiority. 

Paul: If I didn't appreciate that fact I wouldn't be here; 
but rank and station have certain obligations neverthe- 
less. — 

Estelle: Oh, rank and station fiddlesticks! What do most 
of the men — and the women, too, for that matter — in 
so-called high society amount to in this world? Their 
great wealth enables them to live a life of ease and self- 
indulgence, but strip them of their wealth and throw 
them on their own resources, and what would be the re- 
sult? They'd fall by the wayside like broken reeds, un- 
able to hold their heads up for an instant in the struggle 
for existence. Isn't that true? 

Paul : I presume it is — to a great extent. 

Estelle: Of course it's true. But with men like you — and 
father — it is entirely different. Plant either of you in a 
barren desert — with little or no money to aid you — 
and your brains and energy would soon create a paradise 



54 HER BROTHER'S CODE 

out of the bleakest wilds. {Laughingly, as he stares at her 
in amazement) There! Now I have given you a frank 
eulogy. Let me hear you state as frankly what you think 
of me. 

Paul : Do you want me to tell you exactly what my thoughts 
are.? 

EsTELLE : Of course I do — (roguishly) — provided you don't 
intend to tear me to pieces — too much. 

Paul {suddenly stepping over and catching her in his arms, 
crushing her to him fiercely) : This is what I think of you ! 
{Kisses her repeatedly, she, taken by surprise, offering little 
resistance.) 

EsTELLE {releasing herself and trying to carry the affair off 
lightly, though somewhat shocked at his actions) : My good- 
ness! but you are strenuous! You certainly believe in 
energetic methods — whether making social or commercial 
conquests; but that is your nature, I presume, so must 
be overlooked. 

Paul {with assumed meekness) : Then you really forgive me 
for my sudden madness? 

Estelle : I'll either have to do that or forbid you coming here 
again, and the latter alternative would be rather harsh — 
and would require considerable explanation to my father 
— something I have no desire to make. 

Paul: I am deeply grateful to you for your condescension. 

Estelle: We'll forget the incident and not refer to it again. 
That is best — under the circumstances. 

Paul {with usual reserve) : It is. 

Estelle {laughingly, trying to put him at ease) : But do you 
know — I received a most remarkable answer to my re- 
quest for a — for a eulogy — in return for the one I gave 
you. 

Paul : I thought you wished us to drop the subject — 



HER BROTHER'S CODE 55 

EsTELLE : So I did, — but women, you know, are proverbially 
changeable. 

Paul (stepping forward) : Then shall we reopen it? 

EsTELLE {warding him off in alarm): No, no! One experi- 
ence of that kind was quite sufficient, thank you — at 
least, for the present. 

Paul : Then I may hope that in the future you — 

EsTELLE {interrupting a little uneasily): We'll let the future 
take care of itself. 

Paul {deciding to bring his revenge plan to a culmination): 
But would it be asking too much — that you go to some 
theatre with me — say, tomorrow night — and then a 
little " supper for two " afterward? 

{Estelle is shocked for an instant, but remembering her own 
resolution to arouse her brother she decides to accept the 
rather bold invitation.) 

Estelle: Perhaps — why not? 

Paul {trying to conceal his elation at finding her falling in with 
his plans) : Then I'm to understand — you're willing? — 

Estelle {slowly): Yes. I shall be ready to accompany you 
— if you call for me tomorrow evening. 

Paul: Thank you. I'll surely come — and make all ar- 
rangements beforehand. {Looking toward Left) If I 
could say good-bye to Mr. Berkley — I'd cut my visit 
short — in anticipation of tomorrow evening's pleasure. 

Estelle: I'll go and call father. 

{Starts toward Left, as Berkley and Gordon enter at Left, 
the latter sullen and bored.) 

Berkley {as they enter) : Paul, I've brought my son Gordon 
to introduce to you. I thought it might do him good to 
get acquainted with you. 

Paul {stiffening up at sight of Gordon, but trying to be coldly 
affable) : Pleased to meet your son, Mr. Berkley. 



56 HER BROTHER'S CODE 

{Bows, but makes no move to shake hands with Gordon, 
who comes forward for that purpose and shows a little cha- 
grin at unconscious rebuff.) 

EsTELLE {noticing PauVs omission and ascribing it to an 
instinctive dislike to her brother and secretly approving it): 
Glad you came in, father, as Mr. Weston was just on the 
point of leaving. 

Berkley {unconscious of slight to Gordon): What! — 
leaving — so soon.? 

Paul: Yes; I just recalled that I brought some plans home 
from the oflBce, and I want to look them over before I 
retire. {Going to Center, turning with respective bows to 
Others) I'll see you in the morning, Mr. Berkley; and 
you in the evening. Miss Berkley. 

{Bows distantly to Gordon and exits abruptly.) 
{Others stare after him somewhat puzzled at his sudden 
leave-taking.) 

Berkley: Have you said anything to offend him, Estelle, 
to make him leave so abruptly .^^ 

Estelle: Not that I know of; but he is naturally a very re- 
served young man — not at all demonstrative — and 
perhaps he didn't realize his sudden method of leaving. 
{Reflectively) He seems to speak — and act — rather 
impulsively — at times. 

Gordon: If you want my opinion of him, I think he's an ill- 
bred boor. Evidently he doesn't know enough to shake 
hands with a person to whom he is introduced. 

Estelle: I believe that was simply an oversight on his part. 

Gordon : But I believe it was done deliberately — for some 
reason I can't understand. The men from the West 
never have any manners, anyway, and he seems to be a 
fair specimen of the *' wild and woolly " type — the reg- 
ular sword-swallowing kind at a dinner table. I can't 



HER BROTHER'S CODE 57 

grasp why you and father have been praising him up so 
highly — now that I've seen him. 

EsTELLE (spiritedly) : That's because you can't see much in 
anybody beyond your egotistical self. If you were only 
the tenth part of the man that he is, you might be some- 
thing in this world but a dissipated rake — 
(Checks herself in realizing that she has said more than she 
intended in her father's presence.) 

(Gordon shrinks away from her^ then exits abruptly, in 
fear that she may say something worse about him if he re- 
mains.) 

Berkley (chidingly): Don't you think that was saying a 
little too much, Estelle? I know Gordon is not what he 
ought to be, and I have just taken him to task for his 
behavior, but '* dissipated rake " is a pretty hard term 
for a sister to throw at her brother. 

Estelle: I admit it; but Gordon has tried my patience a 
great deal lately — and I let my feelings run away with 
my tongue. Forgive me, daddy. 

Berkley (sitting down, taking her into his arms, gently strok- 
ing her hair): Freely; but I'm afraid my little girl is 
losing her heart rapidly to a certain young man, or she 
wouldn't have been so quick to resent any aspersions cast 
upon him. (With a little sigh as she hides head on his shoul- 
der) I've always dreaded the moment when this event 
should arrive, but if you approve of him, Estelle, and be- 
lieve he is worthy of your confidence, you'll never hear a 
a word of complaint from me. I'd trust in your good 
judgment far more than in my own, and I have nothing 
but respect for him as it is, — though I shall always envy 
him if he is able to take my greatest treasure away from 
me. 



58 HER BROTHER'S CODE 

Estelle: No man can ever take your place in my heart, 

daddy. 
Berkley: I know that, but he's going to crowd me pretty 
hard. Still, I believe there's room for us both in that 
loving heart of yours, — tho' he'll probably want the Hon 
share of it, the selfish creature. And come, now, — 'fess 
up. Do you love him, sweetheart.^ 
Estelle: I'm — I'm afraid — I do, daddy. 
Berkley {releasing her, rising, speaking hrusMy to cover emo- 
tions) : And that sends me to bed a-flying. Don't sit up 
too long and moon over that young scamp who's going to 
steal you away from me, confound him. 
Estelle {running after him as he goes to Left) : Daddy, before 
you go I want to tell you something. {Taking his face 
and drawing it down to her) Always remember that what- 
ever I may do in the future — however strange my ac- 
tions may seem — I have the best of motives at heart; 
will you remember that, daddy .'^ 
Berkley: What are you driving at, child. '^ 
Estelle: Nothing I can explain at present. But it is quite 
possible that all your fears of losing me will prove ground- 
less. I'm going to weigh the man I love in the balance, 
and if he falls short of my expectations — {forcing a laugh) — 
well, you may have to keep me with you as long as you 
live — and then you ought to be satisfied. {Kisses him 
and gives him a playful push toward door) Now go to 
bed — without asking any questions. 
Berkley {looking at her with a puzzled expression for a mo- 
ment): All right; I will. {Shaking head dubiously) Any 
man that tries to fathom a woman's mind needs to have 
his sanity investigated. Good night! 

{Exits with wondering expression.) 



HER BROTHER'S CODE 59 

{Estelle smiles until door closes, when she changes to a look 
of dread; goes to piano; picks up photo.) 
Estelle (speaking to photo): Tomorrow night will settle 
your fate, little girl, — and mine ! 
(Sighs y staring at photo fixedly, showing apprehension.) 



CURTAIN, 



End of Act II. 



ACT III 



ACT III 

(The next evening) 
Scene — Private Dining Room of Road House in the Bronx 

Setting represents a cozy dining room of typical road-house 
style ; a table at Center with two chairs facing each other; table is 
spread with dishes, etc. ; a wine-bucket containing ice and bottle 
of wine on floor near table; doors at Right and Left. 
At rise of curtain a Waiter enters at Right with a platter 
and metal cover, going to table and placing platter on same, 
lifting cover for an instant to see if "bird" is satisfactory, then 
giving final touches to table appointments- 
Enter Reisensteest at Right. 

Reisenstein (going to table and examining samey nodding sat- 
isfaction, speaking with foreign accent): Aw! ef very ting 
iss fine, Francois. De couple vill soon be here, and den 
you make kvick get out. De young man haf leave order 
not to be disturb' — catch on? (Digs Waiter in ribs 
significantly. Waiter nods comprehension and both grin.) 
I vill go and see if de bedroom iss O. K. 
(Goes out door Left, Waiter continuing final arrangements.) 
(Estelle and Paul enter at Right, the latter in dress suit, 
Inverness, crush hat, etc.; Estelle in theatre gown, with wrap 
and opera veil which conceals features.) 
(Waiter bows obsequiously; offers to assist in removing 
wraps.) 

Paul (waving him aside): Never mind. (Glances toward 
table and nods approval.) You can go. If we need any- 
thing else I'll ring for you. 

(Waiter bows and exits at Right.) 
63 



64 HER BROTHER'S CODE 

{Estelle glances around room nervously; is about to raise 
veil, but drops it with a gasp of dismay when Reisenstein enters 
at Left.) 

Reisenstein: Aw! you vas alretty here. (Rubbing hands, 
bowing, speaking servilely) I hope you vill find efvery- 
ting as you haf order'. I haf give 'special 'tention to diss 
suite. My chef he haf make you one fine — 

Paul (cutting him short) : We'll find out how good your chef 
is in due time, Mr. Reisenstein. 

Reisenstein (bowing) : Aw ! dat iss kvite true. (Nodding to 
Left) De lady she vill find efvery gonvenience in de 
bedroom — 

Paul (interrupting coldly, as Estelle gives a shocked start) : 
The lady does not need any suggestions in that respect, 
Mr. Reisenstein. Don't let us detain you. 

Reisenstein: Aw! pardon me. (Backing to door Right, bow- 
ing, with bus of hands) If you need anyting — 

Paul: I can ring for it. 

Reisenstein: Aw! kvite true. 

(Exits, bowing profusely.) 

Estelle (with increasing nervousness): Gracious! what a 
strange man. 
(Raises veil and glances around apprehensively.) 

Paul: I have never met Mr. Reisenstein before today, but 
he is rather an " oily " individual, I should judge, and his 
peculiar business has a tendency to make him so, though 
it seems to be a natural characteristic of the man. 

Estelle: What do you mean by — peculiar business.^ 

Paul: Can't you guess — without my entering into details.? 
(When she shakes her head in perplexity) Well, he caters 
to a class of patronage that won't bear too close an inves- 
tigation — the " nighthawk " element of the city. 

Estelle (in dismay) : Then this hotel is — ? 



HER BROTHER'S CODE 65 

Paul (bluntly) : A road house on the outskirts of the city — 
where people of more or less shady reputation find them- 
selves secluded from prying eyes when seeking surrepti- 
tious pleasures. 

EsTELLE (staggered): And you — took me — here? How 
could you do that, — you whom I believed in and trusted 
as a man of honor? 

Paul (wincing): Why, I supposed you realized where you 
were going after we left the theatre and travelled all this 
distance in the taxicab. I offered no explanation during 
the ride, as you seemed adverse to conversation of any 
kind. 

Estelle: And you thought I came willingly to such a place 

— as this seems to be? 
Paul (uneasily) : I did. 

Estelle (thunderstruck): In the short while that you have 
known me, what have I ever done to give you such an im- 
pression of me? 

Paul: When you permitted me to kiss and embrace you 
last night — upon so slight an acquaintance — without 
being immediately requested to leave your house, I nat- 
urally concluded that — 

Estelle (bitterly, when he pauses with a nervous gesture) : That 
I was a light o' love — to be wantonly treated — then 
thrown aside and forgotten — ( Turning away with a shud- 
der) — Oh, how I have misjudged you! (Clenching hands 
convulsively) Are there no true men in this world? Are 
they all beasts and reprobates? 

Paul (with a touch of remorse) : You are justified in so think- 
ing, for under certain conditions and provocations all 
men are more or less alike — where women are concerned 

— be they prince or pauper, minister or layman, lawyer 
or criminal, laborer or thief — having inherited the pri- 



66 HER BROTHER'S CODE 

mordial instincts of their savage ancestors, which no sphere 
of environment, no degree of civihzation or culture can 
totally eradicate. The spirit of the caveman dwells with- 
in us all to a certain extent. 

EsTELLE : No, no ! — I can't believe it — of you ! My mind 
tells me to condemn you, but my heart speaks a diflferent 
language. (Pleadingly) Oh, tell me that you didn't 
bring me here for an ignoble purpose! 

Paul (with sudden feeling of revulsion against himself) : I wish 
I could — now, — but I can't — without stating a delib- 
erate falsehood. 

EsTELLE (shrinking away from him in horror) : Oh ! 

Paul (fiercely): Yes; you do right to shrink from me! I 
am an unclean beast — not fit to breathe the same at- 
mosphere with you! In a moment of madness — for a 
reason I can't explain — I brought you here to ruin your 
reputation irrevocably! I want you to know this so that 
you may hate me — loathe me — in the future, as that 
is all I deserve, although I now realize that I love you 
with an overpowering passion! (Seeing her give a con- 
vulsive start) But you need not fear that I shall make the 
slightest attempt to take advantage of the position into 
which my madness has thrown you. My only desire now 
is to see you safely home before your absence shall be 
discovered. When that is accomplished I shall drop out 
of your life forever. (Going to Right) I'll go down-stairs 
and order an auto to take you back to the city. 

Estelle: Wait a moment, please. We needn't hurry, as I 
have the latchkey, and requested no one to sit up and 
await my return from the theatre. 

Paul: But why delay .^^ 

Estelle (haltingly y sinking into chair near table) : Because I, 
also, have a confession to make. 



HER BROTHER'S CODE 67 

Paul (amazed): You! 

Estelle: Yes. I accompanied you tonight with a definite 
purpose in view. I can't explain matters — probably for 
a similar reason to the one you are unable to give as to 
your object in bringing me here. It is possible, however, 
that my explanation will become self-evident — if we 
delay leaving for — perhaps — a half an hour. 

Paul {staring at her dumfoundedly) : I — I don't know — 
what to make — of this. — 

Estelle: Don't try to understand anything — now. Let 
us await — developments. Please sit down and be calm 
— as I am endeavoring to be. 

Paul {snapping hat together and taking chair on other side of 
table) : It is very warm in here. 

Estelle: You might remove your Inverness and you'd be 
more comfortable. 

Paul: I think I will. {Rises and removes coat.) Shall I as- 
sist you with your wrap.? 

Estelle: No; please don't. I prefer to remain — fully 
dressed. 

Paul {sitting down, looking at table) : Shall we — try to eat 
something? 

Estelle {with a glance of aversion at table) : It would choke 
me to touch anything — in this house. But if you desire 
to do so — 

Paul: No; you're right. It would be impossible. 

Estelle: Then, to relieve the tedium of waiting, I shall try 
to give a partial explanation of my conduct: My motive 
in permitting you to — embrace me last night without 
showing due indignation — and my object in coming with 
you tonight — was not anything for which I need be 
ashamed, as I believed the purpose I had in view would 
justify my acts. But now I realize that it was madness 



68 HER BROTHER'S CODE 

upon my part, as you just admitted for yourself; for I 
might have known that you — or any man, for that 
matter — would misconstrue my motive. 

Paul : I confess I am unable to see any laudable motive — 
either in what I have done or you have permitted me to 
do — in placing ourselves in this deplorable situation. 

Estelle: I don't know what your motive could have been — 
{shuddering) — and I don't think I want to know it; but 
mine — as I see it now — was a wild desire to aid a girl 
friend of mine who is very dear to me; and I believed I 
could trust my honor in your hands without any danger 
of lasting injury to my reputation. 

Paul: I still fail to comprehend what you mean, but I real- 
ize that I have misjudged you badly. (Rises and begins 
pacing floor in agitation) Good God ! What a cad I was 
— to even think of taking advantage of your seeming will- 
ingness to — 
(Stops, unable to continue.) 

Estelle: Please calm yourself. If the half hour passes 
without — without anything taking place — we will 
leave this house and endeavor to forget tonight's incident 
entirely. 

Paul : I sincerely hope you will be able to do so, but I know 
I won't, — for my remorse will gnaw me to my dying day. 
(Knock heard on door Right; both start.) 
That must be the proprietor. 

Estelle (rising hastily): Oh, I don't want to see that man 
again ! 

Paul (indicating door Left) : Then step into the other room 
and I'll find out what he wants. Lock the door — if you 
fear — anything; but you can rest assured that no one 
shall enter to molest you. 



HER BROTHER'S CODE 69 

(Estelle hurries out at Left; Paul goes to Right; opens 

door.) 

(Enter Reisenstein, followed by Gordon, Paul stepping 

back in surprise; Gordon gives a hasty glance around 

room, then a vengeful look at Paul as Reisenstein addresses 

him.) 

Reisenstein: Aw! pardon me, — but this young man he 
insist' to come in here. If I not let him he say he vill call 
de police — (with bus of hands) — and I haf many 
guests what not want to see de police in my hotel. 

Gordon (sneeringly) : Very likely. A raid on your joint to- 
night would result in several divorces cases no doubt. 

Reisenstein (nervously): Aw! you vas wrong, young man. 
I keep a hotel of respect', and haf nefver make trouble 
for de police. — 

Gordon: But they might make considerable trouble for 
you — if they wanted to — though I presume you pay 
them so well that it would be a severe loss to their pockets 
to close your place up. 

Reisenstein: Aw! you haf one wrong impress', young man. 

Gordon: Don't try to bluff me, Reisenstein. I know your 
reputation from A to Z. You're the slickest article in 
your particular line of business in New York City. — 

Paul (interposing) : This discussion is not at all interesting. 
If you wish to continue it, kindly seek some other room, 
as this one belongs to me for the time being. 

Gordon (blusteringly, with a glance toward table): That is 
quite evident, but as I came here to see you and my — 
(checking himself) — guess you know whom I mean — I'll 
wait until this smooth individual leaves us alone. 

Reisenstein : Aw ! I vill haste' to make me — what-you- 
call — scarce. (In doorway, apprehensively) But please, 



70 HER BROTHER'S CODE 

shentlemens, haf pity of my guests, for dey not like to be 
disturb'. 

(Bows and exits.) 

Paul {with studied politeness, passing Gordon): Pardon me. 
(Steps to door and locks it, putting key in pocket.) 

Gordon: Why do you lock the door? 

Paul (nonchalantly): To prevent our worthy host from re- 
entering — in the event of the coming interview between us 
growing more than usually interesting. You are at lib- 
erty to begin — with whatever object you had in forcing 
yourself upon me. 

Gordon (somewhat taken back): So you're going to try to 
carry matters off with a high hand, are you.f^ Where's 
my sister? 

Paul (with assumed surprise): Your sister! How should I 
know where she is? I don't happen to be her guardian. 

Gordon: Oh, come off. Don't you suppose I know she's 
here? 

Paul: Indeed! 

Gordon: You bet I do. I followed your taxicab in another 
one all the way from the theatre. 

Paul: You surprise me. I've heard that your character is 
not any too good, but I didn't suppose you could be sneak 
enough to spy upon a comparative stranger like myself. 

Gordon (angrily) : You'll find out what kind of a sneak I am. 
I don't propose to let you — or any other man from the 
wild and woolly West — come here to the East and play 
loose and fast with my sister. I'll show you that we East- 
erners believe in protecting our womenfolks from fortune- 
hunters like you, and that their reputation is sacred to us. 

Paul (biting lips to restrain impulse to laugh in Other's 
face): A very laudable veneration, I must say. I hope 
you have always been just as careful with the reputation 



HER BROTHER'S CODE 71 

of all women you have met; for when we upbraid others, 
we must be able to show clean hands ourselves. {Staring 
at him intently) You, of course, have never wronged any- 
other man's sister, or you would not be so *' righteously 
indignant " regarding the fancied injury you believe I 
have caused to your sister. 

Gordon (wincing, but trying to bluster it out) : We'll leave my 
personal affairs alone; they don't concern you. (Working 
himself into a rage) I've followed you here to save my 
sister's reputation. You probably fooled her to this 
place, and if that blundering idiot downstairs hadn't 
tried to stop me, I'd have been in this room sooner; and 
by heavens ! if I've arrived too late, and if you've wronged 
my sister, I'll kill you like a dog. 

Paul (calmly, but watching him closely): You don't say! 
You'd like to add murder to the rest of your crimes, would 
you? 

Gordon: Crimes! Who says I have committed any crimes .f* 

Paul (grimly) : I happen to know of one crime that you have 
committed for which the law could not adminster a 
fitting punishment, but for which you deserve death 
nevertheless. 

Gordon: Oh, come off with that kind of rot! I didn't ar- 
rive here to bandy words with you. I want my sister. 
(Looking toward Left) I presume she's in there. 

Paul: You can presume whatever you like, but it won't do 
you any good. 

Gordon: We'll see about that. 

(Starts toward Left.) 
(Paul suddenly steps forward and hurls him back toward 
Right, Gordon falling to floor.) 

Paul (sternly) : You'll kindly keep out of that room. 



72 HER BROTHER'S CODE 

Gordon (rising, beside himself with rage): By thunder! 1*11 
fix you! 

(Pulls out a pistol from back pocket, but before he can make 
use of weapon Paul is upon him, grasping his wrist; 
they struggle violently for possession of pistol; Gordon acts 
like a maniac and is not easily subdued. During strug- 
gle the table is overturned and the dishes crash to floor. 
Paul finally overcomes Gordon; forces him into a chair 
and compels him to relinquish hold of pistol, when he steps 
back and waits for Gordon to recover his breath, as the un- 
usual exertion causes him to pant heavily.) 

Paul (quietly): I think this little toy is safer in my hands 
than yours. 

(Estelle opens door at Left, stealthily and looks in with an 
expression of fright; but seeing Paul master of the situa- 
tion, she withdraws her head and softly closes door, her ac- 
tions being unnoticed by the two men.) 

Gordon (recovering and ruefully examining his wrist): You 
nearly — broke — my arm. 

Paul: Sorry; but you put up a better argument than one 
would believe you capable of — from the life of dissipa- 
tion you have been leading. 

Gordon (giving him a puzzled stare): What do you know 
about my life? 

Paul: A great deal more than I wish were true. 
(Knock heard on door Right.) 
Our little fracas has evidently attracted some attention. 

Reisenstein (outside at Right): Aw! pardon me, shentle- 
mens, but you haf my guests disturb' — 

Paul (raising voice, speaking to Right): Only a slight acci- 
dent; so have no alarm. Quiet your guests and all dam- 
age will be paid for. 



HER BROTHER'S CODE 73 

Reisenstein: Aw! pardon me. I vill to my guests say dat 
you are shentlemens, and — 

(His voice trails off into a meaningless rumble as he walks 
away from door.) 

Paul: What a beautiful specimen of humanity Mr. Reisen- 
stein is — so considerate for the welfare of his guests — 
at so much per consideration. We should be very proud 
at having him for our host and being permitted to breathe 
this refined atmosphere. 

Gordon (truculently): And yet you brought my sister to 
such a place. 

Paul (after a moment's pause): I did; I might as well admit 
it, for the farce is now finished — (bitterly) — and I have lost 
out on all sides. . . . No, not quite; I still have left the 
life you wanted to take away from me — though of what 
use it will be to me hereafter — with a dishonored sister 
— and a hopeless love — is more than I can see. 

Gordon (wonderingly) : A dishonored sister .f^ 

Paul (fiercely, making an unconscious gesture with hand hold- 
ing pistol): Yes; for I am Paul Kirke, — brother to 
Myra Kirke, — whom you betrayed ! 

Gordon : You — Paul — Kirke ! (Sinks down in abject fear, 
holding up a trembling hand and eyeing pistol with dread.) 
Don't shoot — me! — 

Paul (showing contempt for his display of cowardice) : Have 
no fear of that — although you deserve death, as I told 
you a moment ago when you didn't realize what I really 
meant. (Puts pistol in pocket to Gordon's great relief.) I 
promised my sister Myra that I wouldn't take your life. 
She, poor girl, pleaded with me to spare you — even 
when she must have known in her heart that you never 
intended to keep the promise you made to her this sum- 
mer. You city dwellers often sneer at the people of the 



74 HER BROTHER'S CODE 

backwoods, but I learned one thing while travelling the 
mountain trails with my father as a youngster, and that 
was — always consider a promise once given to be invio- 
late, that being a sacred creed of my ancestors. 

Gordon {gaining courage when he hears his life is safe) : But 
why did you bring my sister to this disreputable house? 

Paul: Having promised to spare your life, unknown to my 
people I cast about for some way to wreck vengeance upon 
your family. I managed to obtain recommendations 
which secured me employment in your father's office, 
under the assumed name of Weston, with the intention 
of undermining his business; but last night at your 
house I decided to retaliate upon your sister for my sis- 
ter's dishonor. I deliberately brought her here to blast 
her reputation forever. 

Gordon (sneeringly) : Was that following out another " sa- 
cred creed " of your ancestors — to make war upon 
women? 

Paul {unheeding sneer): No; it was the act of a madman; 
but, thank heavens, I woke up before it became too late. 
Your sister is as spotless at this moment as she was before 
she met me — {abruptly) — and if you take her back to the 
city immediately, no one will ever know that she came 
here with me. 

Gordon {producing a letter): Don't delude yourself. I re- 
ceived this anonymous typewritten communication late 
this afternoon, signed '* A Well-wisher," giving me the 
hint to keep my eye on her tonight. So you see others 
beside ourselves know what is going on. 
{Hands letter to Paul.) 

Paul {staring at Gordon in shocked amazement after reading 
letter): Good Lord! How could anyone have learned 
what my intentions were? 



HER BROTHER'S CODE 75 

Gordon: Search me; but the letter speaks for itself . YouVe 
blasted my sister's reputation all right. It won't be long 
before the whole city will know that she visited Reisen- 
stein's notorious resort in the company of one of her 
father's employees. What a choice morsel that will 
make for society scandal-mongers to chew upon. 

Paul {pacing floor remorsefully): No doubt. Like carrion- 
seeking animals they'll pounce upon her character and 
tear it to shreds with their evil tongues — in spite of her 
innocence ! 

Gordon {with regretful tone) : That's a certainty. I admit I 
haven't been of much credit to my people, but that my 
sister should be placed in a position where the finger of 
scorn can be pointed at her cuts me to the core. 

Paul {stopping for an instant, giving Gordon a look of in- 
terest): That shows you have some streak of decency in 
your make-up. 
{Continues pacing as before.) 

Gordon: I've always respected my sister — even if she's 
been rather hard on me at times, and we've nagged each 
other a good deal; but she's often helped me out of my 
troubles when father shut down on me. {Musing sadly) 
Poor sister Stel; you're certainly up against it — now. 

Paul: And it's all my fault! . . . Oh, if I could only undo 
tonight's mad act in some way ! {Continues pacing floor 
for a few moments, but stops abruptly; pulls out pistol and 
hands it to Gordon, speaking in a low, tense tone) I 
know your sister can never forgive me, but her reputa- 
tion is now dearer to me than life; so you'll have to shoot 
me and say you did it to save her honor because I fooled 
her to this place. In that way — and that way only — 
can I atone for my vengeful madness. 



76 HER BROTHER'S CODE 

Gordon (aghast): Good heavens, man! I can't shoot you 
down in cold blood! 

Paul {with a warning glance toward Left) : Hush ! You wanted 
to shoot me a while ago — 

Gordon : Then I was wild because you knocked me down — 
and I didn't know — that you were Myra's brother. 
You may consider me an out and out scoundrel — and 
probably I have been — as far as your sister is concerned; 
but I could never kill her brother. You're asking too 
much of me — and I'm sure my sister would never — 

Paul {interrupting, bending toward him tauntingly in an effort 
to make him use pistol): Oh, you contemptible coward! 
You haven't the nerve of a polecat! You won't even try 
to save your sister's good name! Shoot, you cur, and 
show that you have a grain of manhood in your miserable 
carcass ! 

Gordon {wincing at other's denunciation raises pistol as if to 
shoot, but lowers it again, trembling violently) : Oh, I can't 
do it — I can't! 

Paul: Then I'll save you the trouble and do it myself — 
that will force you to make the defense I've indicated. 
{Takes pistol from Gordon's nerveless fingers, but is pre- 
vented from using it, as Estelle throws open door Left with 
a wild scream and rushes across stage, grasping PauVs arm 
hysterically.) 

Estelle: Are you going stark, raving mad.'^ Do you think 
my reputation will be benefitted by having you commit 
suicide in the evil house to which you have taken me? 
I have heard all in the adjoining room, but I had no fear 
that Gordon would carry out your wild desire. I know 
his nature too well for that. (Wresting pistol from his 
hand) But when you seemed bent upon making a bad 
matter worse — I feared your reason had left you en- 



HER BROTHER'S CODE 77 

tirely. What manner of man are you — who can coldly 
plan to ruin my name in revenge for your sister's wrongs 
at my brother's hands — and then Quixotically attempt 
to atone for the ignoble intention by taking your own 
life — leaving me to face a world of scorn because of that 
very act? 

Paul {who has listened to her with bent head, while Gordon 
stares at his sister dumbly): I realize now how foolhardy 
it would have been — unless you were safely away from 
here. {To Gordon) Please take your sister home im- 
mediately. 
{Gordon rises unsteadily to obey request.) 

Estelle: Sit down, Gordon. I'm not ready to leave yet. 

Gordon : But — don't you think — it would be best — if 
we — ? 

Estelle: Sit down, please. Before we leave this house I 
have an explanation to make; it is absolutely necessary 
in order to prevent Mr. — Kirke from doing anything 
foolish after we have left, as his statement just now inti- 
mated that he would. 

Paul {with a forced smile to disarm her suspicions, as Gordon 
sinks back in chair): Oh, nonsense! I have no intention 
of — of — 

Estelle: Please don't attempt evasions. You can't blind 
me any more. I know and understand you thoroughly 
now. Your code is a strange one, — and diametrically 
opposed to that of my brother's, — but it is a man's code 
to a certain extent, although rather wild and unreasoning 
in its workings; and when you hear my explanation I 
hope your normal condition will return to you. {Turning 
to her brother) Gordon, I wrote the decoy letter that you 
received by messenger this afternoon — I wrote it down 
in father's office this morning. 



78 HER BROTHER'S CODE 

{Others show surprise.) 

Gordon: You! 

Estelle: Yes — I. 

Gordon: Why? 

Estelle: Because I wanted you to follow me tonight, as I 
knew you would. I accompanied Mr. — Kirke deliber- 
ately, though I didn't know that was his right name. 

Gordon: But what — was — your object? 

Estelle : I hoped — by placing myself in jeopardy — to 
arouse some manhood in you to do right by Myra Kirke. 
{Bending head) I reasoned rather wildly that if you saw 
your own sister in a position where her reputation might 
be at stake, you would awake to a full realization of the 
wrong you had done to Myra in not keeping your promise 
to her. I believed I could safely trust myself in Mr. 
Kirke's hands without sustaining any lasting injury to 
my reputation, — and so far my trust in him has not 
proved false, — although I little dreamed that I came 
here with Myra's own brother in trying to aid that poor 
child in her sore trouble. — 
{Gordon and Paul are staggered by her revelation.) 

Paul : Good God ! what a noble motive — when compared 
to mine in bringing you here! 

Estelle : I take little credit for my actions — now — in the 
sane light of reason. 
{Knock heard on door Right; All Three start.) 

Reisenstein {outside): Aw! pardon me, but you haf my 
guests disturb' once again yet. I vill haf to ask you to 
leave my hotel right avay. Please open de door. 

Estelle (lowering veil hastily, turning back toward Right) : He 
must have heard my scream, but don't let him in here. 

Paul {going to Right) : I'll attend to him. Remain perfectly 
calm until I return. 



HER BROTHER'S CODE 79 

{Produces key and opens door.) 

Reisenstein (in doorway, about to enter) : Aw ! I tank you — 

Paul: I'll see you outside. 

(Pushes him out and exits, closing door, their voices trailing 
off with ad lib. words as they walk away.) 

EsTELLE (raising veil) : Gordon, I'm wondering if your shal- 
low mind can grasp the caliber of the man who has just 
left the room. I cannot find it in my heart to censure 
him too greatly for wishing to avenge his sister's dis- 
honor, — though I shudder to think what might have 
happened to me if the better part of his nature hadn't 
come to the surface almost the instant we entered this 
room — and saved me from a struggle that would have 
meant life or death, to me. But despite his original in- 
tentions toward me, I can't help respecting the man after 
all; for he proved his real worth when he was willing to 
lay down his life in the mistaken idea that my reputation 
would be saved thereby. He didn't stop to reason mat- 
ters out; his only desire was to atone for the wrong he 
believed he had done to me; and if he was willing to do 
that for your sister, — whom he hasn't really injured at 
all, — can't you at least try to atone for your contempti- 
ble treatment of his sister.'* 

Gordon (still too dazed to arouse himself, speaking mechani- 
cally) : I — don't know — what to — say — or — think. 
(Stares at floor in stony attitude.) 

EsTELLE (mistaking his attitude for apathy, turns from him 
with a vehement gesture) : No; it's useless to appeal to you. 
That man's noble spirit of self-sacrifice — not to mention 
your sister's effort to arouse you to do justice — is lost 
upon your dissipated and drink-weakened senses. You 
haven't the manhood of a crawling worm! 



80 HER BROTHER'S CODE 

{Gordon straightens up and is about to speak, when 

Paul enters at Right.) 
Paul: I have arranged all matters with Reisenstein. You 

can both leave now without anyone being the wiser. The 

hall is empty, and will remain so until you are gone. {To 

Gordon) I sent my taxicab away when we arrived; 

{Estelle shudders) . I hope you have retained yours. 
Gordon: Yes; it is out at the curb. 
Paul {relieved): Good. Please go and tell the chauffeur to 

bring it around to the side entrance; then come back and 

get your sister — and don't delay a moment longer than 

necessary. 

{Gordon nods assent and exits at Right.) 

{Paul turns toward Right without giving Estelle a look; 

constrained pause between them.) 
Estelle {breaking pause haltingli/y looking at pistol in her 

hand): Mr. Kirke. 

{He gives a slight start, but remains turned toward Right.) 

Please turn around. {Forcing an effort to speak lightly) 

It is very hard to address your back — not to mention the 

rudeness — 
Paul {swinging around abruptly) : I beg your pardon. 
Estelle {earnestly) : Before my brother returns I want you 

to make me a promise; will you? 
Paul: What promise could you want — of me? 
Estelle: I'm going to leave this weapon with you, but I 

want you to promise me that you will not use it for an 

ignoble purpose — or in any other way take a coward's 

refuge — after I am gone. 
Paul {flustered) : What an odd request. 
Estelle: Perhaps it is, but I want that promise from you 

before I leave. 
Paul {evasively) : There's no necessity for your demanding that. 



HER BROTHER'S CODE 81 

Estelle: Maybe not; still, in your present overwrought 
state you might be tempted to do something unmanly — 
from a false notion of trying to wipe out tonight's hap- 
penings. Under normal conditions I would not feel 
alarmed, but now I want your promise, for I know you'd 
consider it sacred. 

Paul {making an impotent gesture): What possible interest 
can it be to you what becomes of me hereafter .^^ When 
you leave this room I pass out of your existence forever 
— that is self-evident — considering what I deliberately 
planned to do to injure you. There are some things that 
no true woman can ever forgive or condone, — nor could 
a man with a spark of common decency expect it, — and I 
know that I have placed myself beyond the pale of hu- 
manity by tonight's work. 

Estelle: To end all argument, I'll agree to anything you 
may say in condemnation of yourself; but I still want that 
promise. 

Paul: Why.? 

Estelle: Because I should never have a minute's peace of 
mind if, by my coming here with you of my own accord, 
I robbed the world of a man of your skill and genius — 
in a moment of temporary madness. 

Paul: Is that — your only reason? 

Estelle : That is the only reason I care to discuss — in a 
house of this sort. Do I get your promise? 

Paul (moodily, after a pause): No; I refuse to tie myself 
down to any more promises — such as my sister com- 
pelled me to give three months ago. 
(Estelle clenches hands with a look of dread, as Gordon enters 
at Right, leaving door open.) 

Gordon: All ready, Stel, and not a soul in the hallway. 



82 HER BROTHER'S CODE 

EsTELLE {looking anxiously at Paul, who stares moodily at 
floor to avoid meeting her gaze) : I don't know just what to 
do.— 

Paul: Please don't delay. Leave this miserable house im- 
mediately — before you run into anyone — that is all I 
ask you to do. 

Gordon {when Estelle hesitates) : He is right, Stel. The quicker 
you get away from here the better. 

Paul: Yes, yes; — go — at once, — please. 

EsTELLE {with sudden determination): Very well; I shall do 
so. {Stepping near and putting pistol in his hand, he talcing 
it mechanically) When I accompanied you here I trusted 
blindly in your honor — and I'm going to do the same 
now — even though you refuse to give me the promise I 
requested. {Stepping backward toward Right) It re- 
mains to be seen whether my trust in you has been mis- 
placed — whether you will prove yourself a man under 
the final test. {Trying to repress emotions) If I am judg- 
ing you wrongly now, — then — good-bye, — Paul — 
{He starts, hut does not look up.) 

and may God forgive me for leaving you to fight it out — 
alone ! 

{Drops veil and hurries out, Gordon following her after 
giving Paul a look of doubt.) 

{Paul raises head slowly and stares at doorway; becomes 
conscious of pistol in his hand; looks at it dazedly for an 
instant, but suddenly throws it away with a repugnant ges- 
ture; sinks down in a chair, burying his face in his hands 
with a heavy sob.) 

CURTAIN. 

End of Act III. 



ACT IV 



ACT IV 

(The following morning) 
Scene — Private Office of the Berkley Construction Co. 

Room neatly furnished for business purposes, with a large 
flat desk having blue-prints, letters, documents, etc., scattered 
over same; an extension phone attached to desk; a door at 
Center up stage; other doors at Right and Left. 
At rise of Curtain, Berkley is discovered seated at desk 
consulting a sheet of paper, as he gives final words of dictation 
to Stenographer near desk. 

Berkley {dictating. Stenographer writing upon pad): — And 
I shall send my best engineer, Mr. Paul Weston, to ex- 
amine your plant within a few days, and whatever de- 
cision he makes will be perfectly satisfactory to me. 
Yours truly. {Laying down sheet) That's all at present. 
{Stenographer rises and goes to Center.) 
If Mr. Weston has arrived ask him to please step in here, 
as I wish to consult with him regarding the Fernly prop- 
osition. 

{Stenographer hows and exits, Berkley picking up sheet 
again, studying it for an instant, then pulls out watch 
with knitted brow, glancing toward Center.) 
{Enter Paul at Center; looks pale and worn.) 

Paul {soberly) : Good morning, Mr. Berkley. 

Berkley {smiling genially) : Good morning, Paul. What was 
it — a blockade that held you up? It's the first time since 
you entered my employ that you've been late — {Noticing 
his appearance) — Why, what's the matter? You look 
all fagged out, boy? 

Paul : I — I didn't rest very well last night. 

85 



86 HER BROTHER'S CODE 

Berkley (laughingly) : Too much theatre — eh? Poor show, 
I suppose, and you needed a longer time to recover from 
the effect. Estelle didn't come down and take breakfast 
with me as she generally does, and I was unable to find 
out whether she enjoyed herself or not. But if she 
doesn't look any better than you do this morning, my 
sister will probably phone me to send for a specialist im- 
mediately, and I'll have to put an embargo on any more 
theatre-going. 

Paul (nervously) : Mr. Berkley, I — (Stops as telephone bell 
is heard.) 

Berkley: What did I tell you? Bet that's my sister now. 
(Bus of phone.) 

Hello! (Listens y then smiles.) Yes; this is daddy. How 
are you feeling this morning, you lazy girl? . . . Glad to 
hear it. I was afraid it was your aunt calling me up to 
hurry a specialist to the house and look you over. . . . 
Oh, yes; he's here in my office now — but why the anx- 
iety in your voice? (Roguishly, glancing sideways at 
Paul) He looks a little the worse for the wear, but I 
think he's still in the ring — ready for business — despite 
the fact that you made him keep such late hours last 
night that he came strolling into the office an hour behind 
time — and say, I'm not going to dock his pay; I'll take 
it out of your allowance, as I^ nsider you the cause. . . . 
What's that? . . . (Laughing) Of course he hears 
what I'm saying to you. . . . No; he hasn't said a word 
about anything. The play you saw was probably so 
wretched that he considers it beneath criticism. . . . 
What? . . . Oh, I see. . . . All right, girlie; I won't. 
. . . Oh, we'll be so busy he'll have no time to think. 
. . . You'd better ring off in that case, or I might. . . . 
Of course I can keep a secret; I belong to the male 



HER BROTHER'S CODE 87 

gender. . . . {Sobering up) Why, no. Gordon must be 
still in bed. . . . You don't say! — already up and left 
the house .^^ . . . Very well; I'll curb my curiosity until 
.... All right. . . . Bye-by, sweetheart. (Hangs up 
receiver, smiling grimly) I've just heard wonderful news, 
Paul, — that my son has managed to pull himself out of 
bed before the noon hour. (Picks up sheet and blue-print 
from desk) If you'll draw up a chair we'll go over that 
Fernly proposition again. 

Paul (who has had varied bus to suit situation) : Mr. Berkley, 
— I — I'm afraid I shall have to disappoint you. I wish 
to tender my resignation — to take effect immediately. 

Berkley (thunderstruck): What! Your resignation! Good 
Lord, man, you can't mean that! 

Paul: I do. I have arranged to take the next through train 
for the West; in fact, I have already purchased my 
ticket. 

Berkley: But what's the reason for this sudden move on 
your part? If it's a question of salary — 

Paul: It isn't. If you offered me a million dollars a year, 
Mr. Berkley, I couldn't remain in your employ another 
minute. 

Berkley (with a touch of sternness) : Such a statement de- 
mands an explanation, young man, and I believe I'm 
entitled to it. 

Paul: You are, — but I can't give you a, full explanation. 
I will say this, however, that I entered your employ under 
a subterfuge — for an ignoble purpose — and the only 
way I can wipe it out — if I wish to live — is to put 
thousands of miles between myself and this city. 
(Turns away with a nervous gesture.) 

Berkley (after a puzzled pause) : Did you and Estelle have 
a quarrel last night, — and is this sudden resolution of 



88 HER BROTHER'S CODE 

yours the result? {Smiling covertly) If that's the case, 
perhaps you'll change your mind when you see my 
daughter again. 

Paul: I was unworthy of ever meeting your daughter in the 
first place, Mr. Berkley, and I never expect to see her 
again. She is so far above me in every respect — I don't 
mean socially or financially — that it would be a desecra- 
tion to her good name to associate upon the slightest 
degree of familiarity with a man of my stamp. 

Berkley: I don't understand this, Paul; it goes beyond my 
comprehension entirely; for over the phone just now Es- 
telle seemed quite anxious about you, — not so much in 
what she said, but the tone of voice she used. 

Paul: I know what caused her anxiety, and you'll probably 
learn it when you see her; but she need have no alarm. I 
have conquered all inclination to — to do anything fool- 
ish — at least, while in this city. 

Berkley {staring at him searchingly) : So? It's as bad as 
all that? What in the world could have taken place last 
night to unman you this way? It isn't like Estelle to 
hurt anybody's feelings to the extent — 

Paul: Don't think that, Mr. Berkley. I'm the only one to 
blame in this case. 

Berkley: In what way? 

Paul: That I can't explain. 

Berkley: Then I shall certainly ask Estelle to elucidate 
matters when she — {checking himself) — when I see her. 

Paul: And whatever she wishes to tell you, you may be 
sure it will be nothing but the truth — however black I 
may then appear in your eyes — and you'll probably be 
very glad that I left your employ. 

Berkley: That remains to be seen. {Picking up sheet and 
blue-print again.) Now, about this Fernly proposition — 



HER BROTHER'S CODE 89 

Paul: Pardon me, but I have resigned my position as civil 
engineer in this office, and — 

Berkley: But I haven't accepted your resignation yet, if 
you please. {As Paul makes an impatient gesture.) 
Look here, Paul. I believe I merit a little more considera- 
tion from you than to have you walk out of my office in 
this manner without a moment's warning, and without 
offering a word of explanation that any sane man could 
swallow. Man to man — not as employer to employee — 
do you think you're giving me a square deal.^ 

Paul (uneasily) : Perhaps not; but after you've talked with 
your daughter you'll no doubt agree that I took the best 
and quickest way out of a situation that has become im- 
possible for me to sustain a minute longer than necessary. 
Don't you realize that this is a serious matter to me, Mr. 
Berkley? 

Berkley: I'll answer that question — after I have seen my 
daughter. 

Paul: But that won't be until evening, and I want to be 
many miles away from here by that time. 

Berkley (smiling mysteriously) : What are you afraid of — 
that I'll go gunning for you after I've talked with Estelle? 

P^UL (with a wan smile) : That fear doesn't bother me (506- 
erly); in fact, I'd rather welcome such a move on your 
part — if your daughter's good name wouldn't suffer 
thereby. 

Berkley: Heavens, man, you're in a morbid frame of mind; 
but you needn't think that I'm going to jump to any 
wild conclusions. I know my daughter; I've just talked 
with her over the phone; and if there were any reasons 
for " gunning operations " she would never have called 
me up and talked the way she did — about you. 



m HER BROTHER'S CODE 

Paul: Your daughter is an angel, Mr. Berkley, and her 
charitable nature might cause her to overlook many 
things that a less broad-minded woman would resent as 
an insult. 

Berkley: I told you the other night that she was the great- 
est treasure I possess, and when I introduced her to you 
— a comparative stranger — I demonstrated the con- 
fidence I had in you as a man; and although you now 
seem to be trying to incriminate yourself — for some 
wild reason or other — I still believe that my trust in you 
has not been misplaced. 

Paul: But I proved false to the trust you reposed in me. — 

Berkley: I'll accept that as a fact when my daughter tells 
me so, not before. (With bus of blue-print) In the mean- 
time, we'll drop the subject and get down to the Fernly 
proposition. 

Paul: I'm sorry to appear rude, but I can discuss no busi- 
ness matters. I intend to leave this office immediately — 
whether you object or not. I want to thank you for the 
kindness you have shown toward me; and while I may 
be repaying it rather harshly, I believe I am actuated by 
the best of motives in removing myself from you and your 
family as quickly as I can. Good-bye, Mr. Berkley. 

(Starts toward Center.) 

Berkley (trying to gain time) One moment, Paul. Yester- 
day you made some very valuable suggestions regarding 
this Fernly matter, but you didn't put them down in black 
and white. Couldn't you at least take a few minutes to 
do that for me — before you go? (Indicating door Right) 
You might step into the drafting room; there's no one 
in there now to disturb you. 

Paul (coming back to desk): I'll be glad to do that, Mr. 
Berkley. It won't take me long. 



, HER BROTHER'S CODE 91 

(Accepts blue-print and sheet of paper and starts toward 

Righty Berkley secretly pleased at success of ruse to detain 

him.) 

(Enter Ahner at Center in semi-backwoods costume; 

shows stern, forbidding demeanor as he walks in, but 

changes to look of surprise upon seeing Paul, who is 

equally surprised to see his father.) 
Berkley: Why, hello, Mr. Kirke! What brought you to 

New York? 
Abner (coldly, without looking at Berkley): I'll tell you 

in a minute, Mr. Berkley. (Sternly to Paul) What 're 

you doin' in this office.'^ You look as if you belonged 

here — with those papers in your hand. 
Paul (nervously, as he dimly realizes why his father has come 

to New York): Yes; I've been working here for two 

months, but I'm getting through today to start for the 

West in a few hours. 
Abner: Been workin' here for two months an' never said 

any thin' about it in your letters .^^ Is that treatin' us 

folks right, at home.? 

(Berkley shows amazement.) 
Paul: If you'll come with me I'll explain everything to your 

entire satisfaction. 
Abner: You'll have to do some tall explainin'; but that'll 

keep for a bit — while I 'tend to the thing that brought 

me here. (Turns to Berkley with a grim expression) 

Now I'll answer your question, Mr. Berkley, an' it won't 

take me long. 
Berkley: My time is entirely at your disposal, Mr. Kirke. 

(With a glance at Paul) but I don't quite understand — 
Abner: Reckon you'll understand when I'm through talkin'. 

Two days ago I found my little girl, Myra, a-cryin' her 

eyes out in her mother's arms, an' it didn't take me long 



92 HER BROTHER'S CODE 

to find out why she was a-cryin' — an' then I mos' went 

crazy. {With breaking voice) Guess I talked kinder sharp 

to my Httle girl — an' that night she disappeared — an* 

I ain't seen her since — an' I don't know if she's livin' or 

dead. 

{Paul clenches hands convulsively.) 

I scoured the woods for her all night 'long, but she'd 

covered her tracks so well I couldn't find the least sign 

of her. Yesterday I gave up lookin' for her an' headed 

for Noo York — {fiercely) — to camp on the trail o' your 

son until I land him in hell where he belongs! 

Berkley: My son! 

Abner: Yes; the son you wanted to leave with me this 
summer, — an' I wish now I'd let you; I could 'a' reached 
him quicker then. You may wonder why I've come to 
tell you this — 'stead o' goin' after him first, — but I've 
always tried to play square with ev'rybody, an' I wanted 
to give you fair warnin' that when I lay my hands on 
your son there won't be much left o' him for you to bury; 
an' I also want you to know that I curse the day I ever 
rented my camp to you! 

Berkley {dazed) : This seems impossible for me to believe. — 

Abner: But you've got to believe it, for I don't practice 
tellin' lies; an' I forced the truth out o' my little girl 
when she begged me on her knees not to do it — {re- 
morsefully) — an' I guess that's the reason she left home — 
prob'ly never to come back. 

Paul: Don't think that, father. 
{Berkley is surprised.) 

She probably took the back trail to Mark Henly's place 
— to hide until you calmed down. 

Abner: If she did we'll never see her again. She couldn't 
make it in the dark. 



HER BROTHER'S CODE 93 

Paul: She could — where you and I might fail; and I be- 
lieve she'll return all right. — 

Abner: Your b'lievin' it won't bring her back. (Sharply) 
I found out that you knew this afore you left home, an' 
now you tell me you've been workin' here for two months 
an' in all that time you haven't tried to kill that snake! 
Guess your college education must 'a' weakened your 
nerve. 

Paul (wincing) : Killing people in cold blood may have been 
backwoods' methods of trying to " square " things like 
this, but in civilized communities it would hardly do; — 
and, besides, I promised Myra I wouldn't — 

Abner: I don't care what you promised Myra. Your an- 
cestors always took the law into their own hands — when 
their womenfolks 'd been wronged — an' if your blood 
hadn't turned to water by too much education, you'd 'a' 
stamped out that skunk's life long afore this. 
(Paul realizes the uselessness of trying to argue matters 
with his father; turns to Berkley, who shows apprehen- 
sion when he learns Paul's identity, and that he must have 
entered his employ for an ulterior purpose.) 

Paul (laying down blue-print and sheet): Mr. Berkley, my 
father's arrival partially explains what I couldn't tell 
you a moment ago; but you needn't be alarmed that I 
have accomplished any lasting injury to any member of 
your family, although I admit I entered your employ for 
that purpose originally, with a wild plan to avenge my 
sister's betrayal — some way. 
(Abner shows surprise.) 

Berkley (relieved) : I'm glad to hear you speak so frankly, 
Paul, for I still want to retain my faith in you — in spite 
of the forbidding situation we now find ourselves in. (To 
Abner, sadly) Mr. Kirke, I can't express in words what 



94 HER BROTHER'S CODE 

this revelation means to me. If the mere outpouring of 
money could atone for my son's guilt, I'd willingly sacri- 
fice all I'm worth. But money — however powerful it 
may be in a commercial and, perhaps, social sense — 
can never rectify a wrong of this kind. 

Abner {in a somewhat mollified tone): You're right, Mr. 
Berkley. As far as I can see there's only one way to 
clean camp — to burn up the rubbish. 

Berexey (thoughtfully): But I'm just wondering if we'd be 
any better off if you took my son's life. Harsh as it 
may sound, I have no desire to plead with you to spare 
him. Place me in your position today, and I'd probably 
feel and act just as you do; and my sympathy is entirely 
with you and your family. I have no doubt that a jury 
would acquit you eventually — when the particulars were 
laid before it; but you'd have to go through an ignominious 
trial, with your daughter's name dragged through the 
courts, and your wife suffering indescribable agony of 
mind in the meantime; and would my son's life be worth 
all that.? Would it restore Myra to life — if, as you seem 
to fear, she is dead — or, if living, would it better her 
situation.'^ 

(Both Abner and Paul stare at Berkley in amazement at his 
quiet but logical reasoning.) 

Abner (breaking pause): By thunder! you're right again — 
though I couldn't see it that way when I headed for Noo 
York yesterday, blind as a bat in daytime, an' seein' 
nothin' but red afore my eyes. (With a wan smile) You're 
a wonder at argiment, Mr. Berkley, as I found out last 
summer up at the camp. Guess the best thing I can do 
is to go back home an' take up the search for Myra — if 
she's livin'. 



HER BROTHER'S CODE 95 

Paul: I'm with you, father; and we'll go over every foot of 
the back trail — if we don't find her at Mark Henly's. 

Berkley {to gain time as before): I have a suggestion to 
make. Postpone leaving my office until I can send for 
my son to come down here and meet you, Mr. Kirke, — 
without his knowing that you are here. 

Abner: I don't think that'd be safe, Mr. Berkley. I'd 
prob'ly see red again. — 

Berkley (soberly): I'll chance that. I have an idea that it 
might wake Gordon up from his lethargy, if he were 
brought face to face with the consequences of his mode 
of living. Paul, suppose you take your father into the 
drafting room and talk things over by yourselves while 
I see if I can locate Gordon. 

{Paul nods assent; beckons to Abner to follow him, and both 
exit at Right. Berkley sighs when alone, then pulls phone 
toward him.) 
{Enter Estelle at Left.) 

EsTELLE {with suppressed agitation) : I'm here, daddy. 

Berkley: And I'm glad you arrived in time. I had a hard 
time holding him in the office as you requested over the 
phone. His father is also — 

Estelle: You needn't tell me anything, daddy. As I ar- 
rived in the auto I saw Mr. Kirke entering the building, 
and I came up the back way to avoid running in to him. 
I've heard all that's been said since Mr. Kirke came into 
the office. For the second time in twelve hours I've been 
guilty of eavesdropping, but I think the end justified the 
means in both cases — I'll explain the other one to you 
later. Poor daddy; this is terrible news for you to hear. 

Berkley {nodding head sadly): Have you any idea where 
Gordon might be found? 

Estelle: No. He received some message this morning 



96 HER BROTHER'S CODE 

shortly after you'd left the house, and he dressed hur- 
riedly and went out, telling aunty he wouldn't be back 
until evening. 

Berkley: No use trying to locate him in that case. {In- 
dicating door Right) But what are we going to do about 
that poor man in the other room.-^ And what about 
Paul.^ I know you have something to tell me about last 
night — 

Estelle: Yes; but that can wait until later. While in the 
back room the thought struck me that I'd like to talk to 
Mr. Kirke, senior, for a few minutes. 

Berkley: And you want me to — ^ 

Estelle: Go downstairs the back way and take a half- 
hour's walk — it will do you good and relieve your mind 
to a certain extent. Will you do that, daddy.? 

Berkley : Of course I will, — if you think it best, — though 
it seems a little cowardly to leave you to face the situa- 
tion alone. — 

Estelle: Not at all. What you've just learned I knew 
three days ago. I kept it from you, fearing the shock 
might injure your health; but you are bearing up under 
the blow wonderfully well, thank heavens. Now go — 
without a single question. I'll explain everything to you 
in due time. 

Berkley: I'll obey you blindly, my dear child, — in the 
hope that it is all for the best. 

{Caresses her tenderly and goes out at Left; Estelle sinks 
into chair to gather strength for interview with Ahner.) 
{Knock heard on door Center.) 

Estelle: Come in. 

{Enter Myra timidly at Center in modified country cos- 
tume which shows ravages of her trip over the back trail; 



HER BROTHER'S CODE 97 

has anxious expression^ hut changes to surprise upon seeing 
Estelle.) 

Myra : Estelle ! — you here ! 

Estelle (rising hastily, coming toward her with outstretched 
arms): Myra! Thank God that you are aUve! (Takes 
her into her arms, Myra breaking into sobs.) There, there! 
Take courage, httle girl. I know all about your troubles. 

Myra: I — know — you do. 

Estelle (surprised): How could you — unless. . . . Ah! 
I understand! You sent the message Gordon received 
this morning, — and he must have met you. — 

Myra (nodding assent): The night before last I went over 
the back trail and caught a train for New York. — 

Estelle (amazed): You walked those fearful twelve miles 
in the dark — over a trail that even a man wouldn't try 
to make unless he had daylight to aid him? 

Myra: I simply had to do it, Estelle, to warn Gordon that 
my father would probably seek his life; and I couldn't 
bear to think of the disgrace it would mean to your fam- 
ily — if father arrived in the city before I did. 

Estelle: Oh, you brave, wonderful little woman! Why, 
you might have been killed! And yet they call our sex 
the weaker one! 

Myra (quietly) : The thought of death didn't bother me, and 
you see I made it all right. I knew father would never 
dream that I went that way, or he'd have followed me. 
But I didn't arrive here until late last night, so I had to 
wait until this morning to send word to Gordon. 

Estelle: Myra, before your noble, self-sacrificing spirit my 
own little effort in your behalf becomes insignificant. 

Myra: No, indeed. Gordon has told me what happened 
last night — (shuddering) — and I don't think I ever want 
to see my brother again. 



98 HER BROTHER'S CODE 

Estelle: Don't censure your brother too greatly, Myra. 
He has the hot blood of his male ancestors in his veins, 
and whatever he was tempted to do to avenge your 
wrongs was simply the outcome of his strong love for 
you. But when the supreme test came he proved himself 
a man, — and I was equally to blame — for throwing 
temptation his way. 

Myra : But you did that for my sake and I can never forget 
it, Estelle. — 

Estelle: We won't talk about that. Where is Gordon now.^^ 

Myra: Waiting for me — downstairs. 

Estelle: He is? 

Myra (nodding head bashfully): He has asked me to marry 
him, but I refused — unless your father gave his consent. 

Estelle: There'll be no trouble in obtaining that, I assure 
you. And thank heavens that my brother has finally 
woke up! 

Myra : He told me that he was too stunned last night to say 
anything to you — when you left — that awful place, 
but this morning he was a changed man, and he admitted 
to me that you were the cause. — 

Estelle : Then I have no regrets for what I did last night — 
however unmaidenly my plans might seem to others. 
But why does he remain downstairs — instead of coming 
up here with you.^^ 

Myra: He intended to; but when we reached the building 
he dreaded meeting his father, and I suggested my going 
up ahead and — and sort of pave the way before he ap- 
peared. 

Estelle: You brave little soul! Where his courage failed 
him, you were ready to step into the breach and face my 
father alone — on a mission from which any woman 
would naturally shrink. If he has the making of any 



HER BROTHER'S CODE 99 

kind of a man in him, you will certainly bring it to the 
surface. 

Myra : I shall do the best I can for Gordon — (bowing head) — 
though I feel unworthy — of being a member of your 
family. 

EsTELLE (embracing her): Far from it, Myra. You'll be a 
credit to us, for I know that your heart is as true today 
as it was when I first met you, — no matter what mistake 
your child-like innocence caused you to make. You'll 
always be dearer to me than any sister could ever have 
been. 

Myra ; But I don't see how you can overlook — 

Estelle: I have nothing to overlook. We women are frail 
creatures after all. Under certain conditions the best of 
us are apt to fall — if the right man catches us unawares. 
Eternal vigilance upon our part is the only safeguard. 
But how many of us are there who can reason calmly 
when love steals our senses away and blinds our vision? 

Myra: How can you say that — when you told me at the 
camp you didn't know what love was? 

Estelle : I didn't — then. But that I am able today to 
hold my head up without a blush of shame upon my 
cheeks is not due to any special effort of my own will- 
power, but because I chanced to meet a man who re- 
spected and shielded me — when I practically threw my- 
self into his arms. With you it is an entirely different 
matter, and all blame rests upon my brother's shoulders; 
for his code of morals precluded any showing of the finer 
sensibilities of true manhood. — 

Myra: But I believe he intends to reform, Estelle. 

Estelle : I sincerely hope so — for your sake more than for 
his own. (Looking toward Right) Be calm now, Myra, for 



100 HER BROTHER'S CODE 

I'm going to tell you that your father is here — in the 
other room. 

Myra (alarmed) : My father — already here ! . . . Oh, I 
must warn Gordon ! — 

EsTELLE {detaining her): I don't think that'll be necessary. 

Myra: You don't know my father — when his anger is 
aroused. 

Estelle: I know him to be a true, nature's nobleman, and 
I have no fear regarding Gordon's safety — especially 
when your father learns what my brother is now willing 
to do. 

Myra : But father told me the night before last — 

Estelle: I can imagine what he said, but since then he has 
seen my father — and I believe he has lost the wild desire 
to take human life ruthlessly. 

Myra: I wish I could beheve that. 

{Enter Abner at Right; Paul comes as far as the doorway 
after him; but seeing Estelle, steps back quickly, closing 
door. Estelle notices Paul's action, but decides to make no 
comment upon the incident. Abner is thunderstruck to see 
Myra, who seems a little timid about meeting him.) 

Abner: Myra! 'Re my old eyes playin' tricks with me, or is 
it really you.^ 

{Steps over and folds her in his arms, she nestling content- 
edly in his embrace when she realizes his savage mood has 
left him.) 

Estelle {smilingly) : Haven't you any greeting for me, Mr. 
Kirke, — my second-father-of-the-wilds? 

Abner {releasing Myra) : I beg your pardon. Miss Estelle, 
but seein' Myra — after I thought I'd lost her forever — 
kinder threw me off my balance a bit, an' you'll have to 
overlook my slightin' you. 
{Offers hand.) 



HER BROTHER'S CODE 101 

EsTELLE {taking hand cordially): I'm glad to see you, Mr. 

Kirke, — even if your visit to New York was a little 

unexpected. 
Abner: Have you seen your father — an' found out why I 

came? 
Estelle: Yes; I know everything; in fact, I know more 

than you do. 
Abner: What d'you mean by that? 
Estelle (putting an arm around Myra) : That Myra is to 

become my legal sister very shortly, for she has honored 

my brother by consenting to marry him — provided you 

have no objections. 
Abner {taken hack) : Why, — I don't see's I have any right 

to object — considerin' — 
Estelle {helping him out when he stops in confusion) : Con- 
sidering the matter is already settled. 
Abner {turning to Right, as if expecting Paul to be there): 

Why, I thought Paul came in with me. 
Estelle: He started to, but turned back — for some reason 

or other. 
Abner: I reckon I know why, an' I don't blame him much 

— after what he told me in the other room ; an' I want to 

say to you. Miss Estelle, if he'd 'a' harmed a hair o' your 

head I b'lieve I'd 'a' choked the life out o' him, — the 

same 's I wanted to do to your brother when I first got 

here. 
Myra {anxiously): But you don't feel that way toward 

Gordon now, do you, father? 
Abner: I guess not, Myra. Mr. Berkley kinder got me on 

the hip with his argiment, an' I reckon I've quit seein* 

red for good an' all. 
Estelle {smiling) : I have no doubt of it, and you're not the 

first man that my father has been able to argue down. 



102 HER BROTHER'S CODE 

Abner: I can 'predate that. Guess that's the way he's 
made most of his money — jess kinder talked it out o' 
folkses' pockets by argiment. 

{Enter Berkley and Gordon at Left, the latter ill at ease and 
casting a furtive glance toward Abner, who sobers up and 
looks across at Gordon thoughtfully.) 

Berkley (nodding genially to Myra): Well, the tension 
seems to be considerable less in this office since I left it. 
That must be the result of your taking charge of things, 
Estelle. 

Estelle: Not at all, father. Mr. Kirke insists that it's 
the result of your forceful argument. (Earnestly) But I 
really believe it is due to the watchful guidance of a kind 
Providence to save us all from lasting disgrace. 

Abner: An' I'll say Amen! to that, Miss Estelle. 

Berkley: So will I. (Drawing Gordon forward) I ran 
into my son downstairs and brought him up here to face 
you, Mr. Kirke. We'll leave you two alone, if you so 
desire. 
(Myra shows alarm; Gordon uneasiness.) 

Abner: No; I have little to say to him. (Stepping over to 
Gordon) Young man, you needn't fear that I'm goin' to 
jump you; but you can thank your lucky stars that I 
saw your father an' sister afore I met you, or there'd 
been hell to pay — (To Others) I beg your pardon. 

Berkley: My son has just told me that he wishes to marry 
your daughter, Mr. Kirke; isn't that true, Gordon .^^ 

Gordon: Yes; it's the least I can do to — 

Berkley: You needn't say any more. It's the first decent 
wish you've ever expressed, and I hope it's only the be- 
ginning of a better career. (Taking Myra's hand) 
Myra, words are useless at present; but if my son doesn't 
treat you well in the future, the Lord Harry help him, — 



HER BROTHER'S CODE 103 

that's all. (Indicating Abner) There will be two of us 
to see that he walks a pretty straight chalk-line hereafter. 

Myra (bashfully) : I don't think I shall need any assistance 
to manage — my husband. 

EsTELLE : Many a woman has thought that — to her sor- 
row. So a little reserve fund of wholesome male aggres- 
siveness may be a good thing to have to fall back upon 
in time of need. 

Berkley (suddenly, looking around) : But where's FsluI? 

Estelle: In the drafting room, I believe; but I don't think 
he cares to come out while I'm in the office. 

Abner: But that's just what he's goin' to do — an' tell you 
afore us all how sorry he is that — 

Estelle (interrupting) : You must not think of anything like 
that, Mr. Kirke. It would be most humiliating to him — 
and to me. He has done nothing very serious, — no matter 
what his original intentions were. 

Berkley (as Abner is about to object) : You let my daugh- 
ter manage this affair, Mr. Kirke. I have yet to see a 
case where her judgment proved faulty. There is some- 
thing under all this which I don't understand, but I have 
absolute faith in her, and I'm willing to abide by what- 
ever decision she makes. (Indicating door Left) I would 
suggest that you, Myra and Gordon, step into the other 
room for a little while, as some things can't be discussed 
before witnesses. 

Abner: I reckon you're right, Mr. Berkley, an' I'm a blun- 
derin' old fool. But you don't have to kick me to make 
me take a hint. 
(Nods to Myra and Gordon and All Three go out at Left.) 

Berkley: Estelle, have you any objection to my calling 
Paul in here.^ 



104 HER BROTHER'S CODE 

EsTELLE ({with back toward Right, looking aimlessly at blue- 
print on desk) : Why, — no; — I can't say that I have. 

Berkley: That's all I want to know. (Opening door Right, 
calling) Paul, come in here, please. 
(Enter Paul, ill at ease.) 

Your father and I have decided that the best solution of 
our deplorable situation is for Gordon to marry your 
sister, and my son is willing to do so. He is now anxious 
to atone for past errors. 

Paul: I'm glad to hear this news, Mr. Berkley. It removes 
a great load off my mind. 

Berkley: I thought it would; that's why I called you in. 
(Suddenly) By Jove! I forgot to tell your father some- 
thing. (Crosses to Left) Please wait until I come back, 
Paul. I'll only be gone a few minutes. Don't let my 
daughter bore you while I'm away. She's not in a very 
entertaining mood this morning, but the vagaries of 
women go beyond the comprehension of mere man, and 
it's useless for us to try to understand them. All we can 
do is to accept them as they are; for with all their faults 
— and in spite of our faults — we love them still. 

(Exits.) 
(Paul, after a glance at Estelle, stares moodily at floor, 
while she traces aimless patterns on desk; but finally she 
cranes her head around and steals a look at him.) 

Estelle (after a moment's hesitation): Paul, — isn't it foolish 
of us to act this way, — as if we had committed some 
crime.? 

Paul: You haven't, — but I have. 

Estelle : It wasn't a crime — simply a temporary aberra- 
tion of your mind. 

Paul: No; I was a beast — an unclean thing — who should 
never again be permitted to be in the same room with you. 



HER BROTHER'S CODE 105 

Estelle: Don't you think I'm the best judge of that? Do 

you beheve I would remain here if I entertained such 

thoughts? 
Paul: But you can never forgive me for taking you to that 

awful place. 
Estelle: You — haven't asked me to. 
Paul: I know it would be useless. 
Estelle: Try me — and see. 
Paul (stepping toward her in amazement) : Is it possible — 

that you — ? 
Estelle: Yes; in spite of everything — I — can't you — 

guess — the rest? 
Paul : I think I can — and I shall take what the gods give 

me — without another question ! 
Estelle: You may, — (as he embraces her fiercely) y— hut I 

feared you never would — again. 

(He kisses her as 



CURTAIN FALLS. 



End of Play. 



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